Umzansi Zulu Dancers

The Zulu nation is a nation of proud warriors. Their tradition of song and dance goes back to the sixteenth century. When the warriors returned home victorious from war, the WarLord, their families and the whole community in wild celebrations of song, dance, cheering and screaming would greet them. This is where the tradition of Zulu song and dance began. It became custom that every Zulu boy be taught the tribal dances and songs of his nation. Not only were the traditional dances performed on the warriors return, but also at weddings, and feast celebrations as they became a symbol of joy, happiness and respect.

The Zulu dance and song tradition spread to may other Black South African Groups, and groups can be seen performing in parks, street corners and Mine compounds for the sheer joy of it.

This is how the Umzansi Zulu Dancers came together. They comprise a group of young men all from the rural village of Kitsdrift in Natal in the area known as Emsinga. They came to work in various places in Johannesburg, but lived together in the George Goch Men's Hostel. Since they were not used to the city life and had no friends in Johannesburg, each weekend they were drawn together and sang and danced their traditional songs from their rural home.

When Gallo GRC Producer, West Nkosi was in Paris in March 1987, he was approached by a French Jazz Festival promoter, who asked him to track down a group of Zulu dancers he had seen featured in a Johnny Clegg video. On his return to South Africa, West located the Umzansi Dancers and immediately set about organizing passports for them so that they could travel to France with him to perform at a major Jazz Festival in Angulem. The audience went wild after the performance - to see Zulu Dancers in action was a unique experience for a French audience. The response was so great, that they were approached by a second promoter who sent them touring throughout France, covering major cities such as Riemes, Paris, Tarbes and Warrion, where the audiences just wouldn't let them leave the stage! The group also spent five days at the famous Niem Bull Festival, which is attended by over 250 000 International visitors! The Umzansi Zulu Dancers in fact led the Bull's procession through the town, daily.

While touring in France with the Umzansi Zulu Dancers, West Nkosi discovered that not only were the group phenomenal dancers, but they could sing as well! As soon as they returned to South Africa, West organised a studio and recorded their debut album "Bayekeleni" meaning "Let Them Be".