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America.gov (Washington, DC)

South Africa: Diversity Rocks

Phillip Kurata

6 October 2008

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The lyrics and rhythms of the musical descendants of Ozomatli — the Aztec god of music and dance — resonate in South Africa.

Seven Los Angeles musicians who call their group Ozomatli played their blend of rock, hip-hop, jazz, reggae, cumbia, salsa and other musical strains October 3 to a mainly black crowd of young people in the city that was once the bastion of apartheid.

"I love it. It's lively and diverse. I could listen all night," said Nathi, a 23-year-old student of marketing at Tshwane University of Technology.

"Ozomatli's fusion music is wonderful," said Nandipha "Nasty" Jeke, a disc jockey at Tshwane University's radio station. "We have been playing Ozomatli's music for more than a month now. The response has been terrific."

She spoke to America.gov shortly before Ozomatli took the stage for the free outdoor performance in the square next to the State Theatre. The concert was titled "Diversity Rocks." A South African band, Freshlyground, shared top billing.

While Ozomatli music makers sang, strummed, blew and thumped their hybrid tunes and lyrics, about 1,000 people gathered in the square to give them a listen. Those at the foot of the stage waved their hands and danced. Those farther removed swayed gently on their feet or sat quietly.

Peter Namyai, a 30-year-old drama director, said, "It is different from African music, but both types of music have similar rhythms."

Ozomatli's three-city tour of South Africa and a subsequent visit planned for Madagascar were organized by the U.S. government as part of its cultural diplomacy program.

"Ozomatli is part of an illustrious tradition of American cultural ambassadors, such as Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman and Louis Armstrong," said a U.S. diplomat stationed in Pretoria. "With their message and music extolling racial and ethnic diversity, Ozomatli is helping to build bridges through cultural power."

Ozomatli's lead singer and trumpet player, Asdru Sierra, said the ethnic composition of the band is a testament to its belief in diversity. He said the band intentionally reflects the makeup of Los Angeles society.

"We are trying to bring a message of cultural diversity, and at the same time we're in unity," said Sierra. "Look at our music and the ethnic makeup of our band. We come from different cultures and religions. We're united in one single understanding about humanity. That's what's important."

Despite the band's efforts to bridge several cultures, one teenage girl, who would not give her name, did not respond well to the music. She said: "I don't like rock. I can't understand the language."

But concertgoers around the world can, evidently. Ozomatli members have served as U.S. cultural diplomats on previous missions to the Middle East, Indonesia, Nepal and South America. While reaching out to foreign audiences, the musicians also have been touched by them.

"We visited an orphanage yesterday [October 2]. There were about 300 children who were HIV-positive or their parents had died from the disease. They sang and danced for us. I was deeply moved by that," said drummer Chris Cano.

Cano said his visit to South Africa is "a great opportunity and a blessing" because he is playing music for people he never thought he would meet. Cano is of Mexican descent, and his wife is a mixture of Filipino and German backgrounds. He said he is less politically engaged than other members of the band, but he is no less hopeful than they are for a world of more peace and harmony for the sake of his children.

The Ozomatli musicians are openly critical of many of the Bush administration's policies, but they participate in U.S. cultural diplomacy activities to show the diversity and openness of American society.

"What the media portray about a country and the reality of a country are different," said Raul Pacheco, a guitarist and singer. "Maybe we help South Africans see another side of the United States. It's a moving experience for me to see South Africa and the transformation going on in this country. This type of struggle is going on in many parts of the world, including the United States. For us, we're on the side of recognizing the good in each and every one of us."

Asked for his thoughts about how to reconcile differences, Pacheco said: "It does not happen overnight. You have elements of anger that are totally understandable. It's part of the long process of healing. How can a person's anger be recognized and then defused in order to move on? We deal with that on a personal level too. In [South Africa], that process is happening."

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