The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #45493   Message #675346
Posted By: WFDU - Ron Olesko
24-Mar-02 - 09:45 AM
Thread Name: Marais and Miranda Documentary
Subject: RE: Marais and Miranda Documentary
That isn't correct. Josef was an Afrikaaner but he did not support the racist politics often associated with Afrikanners. He left South Africa to pursue a musical career. Miranda was from Holland and left to avoid the Nazi's.

We do discuss their politics during the show. I don't want to give away the whole story here (that is why we did the radio documentary!!!) but there music really wasn't policitcal.

Josef left South Africa in the early 1930's. He did not support the racist politics that were building in the country, and his music did try to balance the folk traditions of the Afrikaaners and the indigenous people of South Africa. Josef was pained by aparteid.

In later years Marais and Miranda performed for anti-war and environmental causes. Their music was not meant to be political but I guess all music is in a way.

They knew Woody, but their music was presented in a totally different presentation.

Ron