With the 2024 elections a few months away, DJ Tira has looked towards the youth for change in his new song Inkululeko. Despite the possibility of controversy to follow, the deejay and featured artists have recreated the iconic June 16th photo of Hector Pieterson as the cover art.
Releasing on 1 March and featuring Heavy K, Makhadzi, Zee Nxumalo and Afro Brothers, DJ Tira – whose real name is Mthokozisi Khathi – shared with BONA the relevance of the freedom-inspired song. “We are voting in May and I think the song is very relevant because people want freedom. The song is talking to leaders, the community and the nation. They must really try to do better.”
Clarifying that he is not referring to any specific political party, the record producer added, “I’m talking about all those in power and leading the political parties, in general. Those who need to be responsible and take care of us.”
When asked about the process of choosing the above-mentioned artists for the song, the businessman told BONA that he has decided that this year he aims to collaborate with as many artists as possible.
“All those artists are vibing with me. More collaborations are coming. I’m just working non-stop. Heavy K is on that three-step sound which I am tapping into now. Makhadzi is a super vocalist, just as much as Zee Nxumalo. Afro Brothers also worked on the beat of the song,” he shared.
With the music video touching on the 16 June 1976 Soweto Uprising, DJ Tira, Makhadzi, Heavy K, Zee and Afro Brothers recreated the tragic image taken by Sam Nzima of the young, late protester Hector Pieterson (portrayed by Zee) being carried by Mbuyisa Makhubo (portrayed by DJ Tira). Makhadzi portrays Hector’s sister Antoinette Sithole while Heavy K and Afro Brothers form part of the crowd.
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“We tried to bring the energy of June 16th with the school uniform and Hector Pieterson,” explained DJ Tira.
Speaking about the possibility of people finding the recreation controversial or insensitive, the deejay stated, “We’re not hiding it, it’s an incident that happened in South Africa where the youth went on riots in the streets of South Africa complaining about those who were in power that time. So, it might happen that there are those who are still unhappy here and there.”
He added, “The suffering that we faced in 1976 still exists today. So, it’s important that we still keep reminding them … We are not being insensitive or controversial. We are showing the reality. The reality is that people are poor out there and those in power must do better. When I say those in power, I am not talking about just the political party that is in power right now.
“We are talking about all those who can make a change from all the political parties we have in South Africa. They all get money; they all use our tax money and they need to use it in the right manner.”
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