Lesotho band Uhuru (later Sankomota) deported while on tour in South Africa , presumably due to the statements made through their music and could not regain entry visas;
PW Botha became the Prime Minister and implemented his 'Total Strategy' to consolidate a state wide security strategy. This policy served as the basis for transformation of the South African state into a military bureaucracy, controlled by the National Security Management System (NSMS).
The Happy Ships performs at Scratch in Cape Town.
The Happy Ships performs at Scratch in Cape Town.
Shifty releases Bernoldus Niemand’s ‘Hou my vas korporaal’ as a single; The SADF launched Operation Askari, the third major invasion of Angola, with ten thousand troops being deployed.
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Shifty Studios, a sound recording facility, is founded and financed by Lloyd Ross and Ivan Kadey. They collect and build recording equipment into a caravan so as to be fully mobile, hence the name Shifty Mobile Recording Studio; Call for a united front; commission appointed and steering committee set up.
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United Democratic Front (UDF) national launch, Cape Town.
The Shifty Mobile Studio spends two weeks recording the Sankomota in Lesotho.
The Shifty Mobile Studio records the Happy Ships album ‘Sound Future’.
Shifty releases the following albums: Sankomota by Sankomota, Own Affairs by the Kalahari Surfers and Sound Future by the Happy Ships. | Featured Items |
The UDF Million Signature campaign launched; The Happy Ships performs at The Mix, Shortmarket Street, Cape Town. | Featured Items |
Members of the growing anti-conscription movement helped coordinate a two week focus on Namibia, with advocate (and SWAPO member) Anton Lubowski and political leader Hans Rohr touring South Africa to raise awareness about the illegality of permanent South African occupation in Namibia.
Anti-tricameral parliament campaign launched.
The End Conscription Campaign was established.
Jennifer Ferguson and her band perform at Windows, Oxford Hotel, Rosebank in event titled ‘Scotch and Soda’.
Troops first enter the townships.
End Conscription Campaign launched at the Claremont Civic Centre in Cape Town.
UDF led Black Christmas campaign.
Shifty releases the following albums: Wie is Bernoldus Niemand? by Bernoldus Niemand, A Naartjie in Our Sosatie by various artists, Live at Jamesons by the Cherry Faced Lurchers, FOSATU Federation of South African Trade Unions Worker Choirs, Living in the Heart of the Beast by the Kalahari Surfers, Forces Favourites by various artists and An Evening with the Softies by the Softies. | Featured Items |
Shifty Records is formed as the marketing and promotion arm of Shifty Studios. Warrick Swinney (later Sony) of Kalahari Surfers, and Mark Bennett and André van Niekerk of the Softies become partners in Shifty Records; ECC holds its first national conference to consolidate national structures and decide how to move forward.
Shifty Records, in conjunction with the Federation of South African Trade Unions (FOSATU) recorded workers choirs at various locations in Transvaal and Natal.
30th anniversary of the Freedom Charter. | Featured Items |
Release of the ‘FOSATU Workers Choirs’ album at the 1985 FOSATU Education Workshop at Jabulani Stadium, Soweto had to be cancelled due to the State of Emergency being declared on the same day by State President PW Botha | Featured Items |
Jennifer Ferguson performs at Club 58, Hillbrow.
The Troops out of the Townships Campaign coincided with the Fasting for Just Peace Campaign during this month.
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Emergency Regulations under the State of Emergency were now extended to the Western Cape.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is launched.
Shifty releases the ‘Forces Favourites’ album amidst a lot of interest from the Security Police. | Featured Items |
Shifty releases the following albums: The Voice of Nooit! by Corporal Punishment and Illegal Gathering, One for All by ISJA, Goema by the Genuines, The Aeroplanes by the Aeroplanes, Wasamata by Simba Morri, Change is Pain by Mzwakhe Mbuli, Enhlambamasoka by the Mahlabatini Bekimbazo Brothers and Grooving Jive #1 by Noise Khanyile and the Jo'burg City Stars | Featured Items |
The End Conscription Campaign, Black Sash and UDF Claremont and Observatory area committees jointly hosted a protest meeting against SADF raids. | Featured Items |
National State of Emergency declared. The State of Emergency was extended to cover the entire country. The Public Security Act was amended to enable the state to declare certain places ‘unrest areas’, which in turn gave more leeway for intensely repressive security measure to be implemented.
The ‘War is No Solution’ Campaign is introduced.
Shifty releases the following albums: Sleep Armed by the Kalahari Surfers, On the Other Side by the Abstractions, Dans, Kerk & Werk by Draadloos, Ver van die Ou Kalahari by André Letoit, Hand Around the Heart by Jennifer Ferguson and The K-Team by the K-Team. | Featured Items |
The Genuines performing at Indaba Project (club), Cape Town followed by performance at Brass Bell in Cape Town.
Cherry Faced Lurchers performing at Jameson’s, Johannesburg. | Featured Items |
André Letoit’s ‘Ver van die Ou Kalahari’ is recorded live at Shifty Studios.
Cherry Faced Lurchers performing at Jameson’s, Johannesburg. | Featured Items |
The Genuines performing at Indaba Project (club), Cape Town.
The Institute for a Democratic Alternative for South Africa (Idasa) and a group of mainly Afrikaans-speaking intellectuals confer with the banned ANC in Dakar, Senegal, from 9-12 July. It is argued that the Dakar initiative triggers a new progressive movement in Afrikanerdom in terms of music, theatre, art and the media.
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Launch of André Letoit's first Shifty Records release 'Ver van die Ou Kalahari' album at the Jazz Den, Woodstock.
Launch of the Genuines’ ‘Goema’ album at Indaba Project (club), Cape Town.
Launch of Jennifer Ferguson’s ‘Hand around the Heart’ album at the Kippies Bar.
Shifty releases the following albums: Township Boy by the MAMU Players, Tananas by the Tananas, Mr Mac & the Genuines, Ek Sê by the Kêrels, Voëlvry by various artists, Sophiatown by the Junction Avenue Theatre Companyand Koos by Koos. | Featured Items |
Launch of Gereformeerde Blues Band (GBB) at the Black Sun, Johannesburg.
Gereformeerde Blues Band (GBB) at the Black Sun, Johannesburg.
Eerste Alternatiewe Afrikaanse Rock Konsert at the Pool Club in downtown Johannesburg.
Shifty Records receives funding from Swedish company, Althea who buys the publishing rights to all Shifty recordings.
With Swedish funding secured, Shifty Records sets up a permanent base behind the Market Theatre complex in Johannesburg with four permanent staff members, duplicating facilities and ample recording space.
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Durban launch of the ‘Tananas’ album at Funky’s.
The Cherry Faced Lurchers performs at the H.F. Verwoerd Theatre, Springs.
End Conscription Campaign effectively banned under restriction orders of the
State of Emergency regulations.
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Cape Town launch of the ‘Tananas’ album at the Whale Well at the South African Museum, Cape Town.
The Cherry Faced Lurchers performs at St George's Street Mall street party, Cape Town.
Shifty Records presents the ‘Music through the Muzzle’ concert at the Market Theatre Warehouse, Johannesburg.
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Shifty Records Music Festival and the launch of the ‘Voëlvry’ album at the Market Theatre Warehouse, Johannesburg.
Dr Orrel (Johannes Kerkorrel) en sy Medisynekas perform at the Market Theatre.
Shifty records releases the following albums: Eet Kreef! by Johannes Kerkorrel en die Gereformeerde Blues Band, Unbroken Spirit by Mzwakhe Mbuli, Itwasa Lika Puzu Shukela Namagugu Akwazulu by Noise Khanyile, The Art of Noise by Noise Khanyile, Niemandsland by Koos Kombuis, Winston's Jive Mixup by Winston's Jive Mixup, Bigger than Jesus / Beach Bomb by the Kalahari Surfers and Die Saai Lewe by Randy Rambo en die Rough Riders. | Featured Items |
The band Koos performs at the Black Sun (standing in for the Tananas).
The Tananas perform at the Black Sun.
Lloyd Ross, Johannes Kerkorrel and others perform at ‘Towards a new South African Music’, and event of music and discussion sponsored by the Progressive Arts Project at Mega Music, 60 Pim Street, Johannesburg.
The Tananas perform at Charlie’s, Durban.
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Launch of the Voëlvry tour and launch of GBB's first album 'Eet Kreef' at Club Countdown, 277 Bree Street, Johannesburg.
Voëlvry concert at D-Lab, Randse Afrikaanse Universiteit. (RAU) (André Letoit banned from performing on the RAU campus).
Voëlvry concert at Wits Students' Union. (The band Koos joins Voëlvry tour for this one performance at Wits Students Union).
Voëlvry concert banned from performing at the Vaal Technikon.
Voëlvry concert at the Mask Theatre, University of Pretoria.
Voëlvry concert at the Elgro Hotel, Potchefstroom. (Banned from performing on the University of Potchefstroom campus).
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Voëlvry concert at the Maluti Game Lodge near Clarence. (Banned from performing Voortrekker Hoërskool).
Voëlvry concert at the Heavenly Bodies Gym, Welkom.
Voëlvry concert at the Frans Cronje Saal, Bloemfontein Showgrounds. (Banned from performing on the University of the Free State campus).
ECC founder member David Webster assassinated by members of the Civil Cooperation Bureau (CCB).
Rector of the University of Stellenbosch, Professor Mike de Vries issues a notice withdrawing permission for the Voëlvry concert to perform on campus.
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Jennifer Ferguson sings at the funeral of David Webster.
Voëlvry concert at the Main Hall, University of the Western Cape.
Voëlvry concert at the Drie Gewels Hotel, Lynedoch near Stellenbosch. (Banned from performing on the University of Stellenbosch campus).
Jennifer Ferguson and Mzwakhe Mbuli perform with others at the International Conscientious Objector's Day Concert at Wits Students' Union.
Voëlvry concert at the Three Arts Theatre in Plumstead, Cape Town.
Jennifer Ferguson performs at the Market Theatre Warehouse, Johannesburg.
Voëlvry concert at the City Hall, George.
Voëlvry concert at the Feathermarket Hall, Port Elizabeth. (Banned from performing on the University of Port Elizabeth campus).
Voëlvry concert at the Durban Central Methodist Church.
Voëlvry concert at the Students' Union Hall, University of Pietermaritzburg.
Voëlvry concert at the Windhoek State Theatre. (Official final Voëlvry performance).
Voëlvry final Johannesburg concert at the Summit Club, Hillbrow.
Voëlvry final Pretoria concert banned.
André Letoit becomes Koos Kombuis.
The initial call-up period for new conscripts was reduced to one year.
Koos Kombuis en Die Kakkerlakke perform at Café Royal, Cape Town.
Koos Kombuis en Die Kakkerlakke perform at Jameson's, Johannesburg.
Jennifer Ferguson performs at the Black Sun, Johannesburg and at the Whale Well at the South African Museum, Cape Town.
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Shifty releases the following albums: Live in South Africa by Ian Fraser, Urgent Release by Free State Music, The Homecoming by Free State Music, Season of Violence by Free State Music, Mandela Speaks by Free State Music, The Leaders Speak by Sisulu/Kathrada, Medicine by Ray Lema, Fode by Kasse Mady, Soro by Salif Keita, Untimely by Jennifer Ferguson, Mephato ya Maloba by the Kgwanyape Band, Big Beat by the Radio Rats, Budgie Beat by various artists and The Otherwhite Album by the Cherry Faced Lurchers. | Featured Items |
President F.W. De Klerk officially unbanned the End Conscription Campaign.
Jennifer Ferguson, Sankomota, Tananas, the Gereformeerde Blues Band and others perform at the Human Rainbow Concert at Ellis Park Rugby Stadium.
Jennifer Ferguson and others perform on Holkrans Farm at the Music and Arts Festival, Clarens.
Jennifer Ferguson, Koos Kombuis, Johannes Kerkorrel, Randy Rambo en die Rough Riders and others perform at the Houstok Festival on La Chateau Farm, outside Pretoria.
Tananas concert ‘Listen with your eyes’ at the Baxter Theatre, Cape Town.
Tananas concert ‘Listen with your eyes’ at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, Durban.
Tananas concert ‘Listen with your eyes’ at the Market Main Theatre, Johannesburg.
Shifty Records hosted the World Music Party at the Yeoville Recreational Hall as part of Yeoville Residents’ Organisation Spring Fair.
Launch of new series of Shifty Records World Music releases; also launch of Jennifer Ferguson's album ‘Untimely’ and relaunch of Shifty Records’ first album ‘Sankomoto’ at the Dawson's Hotel, Johannesburg.
Shifty releases the following albums: The Otherwhite Album by the Cherry Faced Lurchers and In.to.nation by Tony Cox. | Featured Items |
Radio Rats’ first live performance in 12 years at the Dawson's Hotel, Johannesburg.
The ECC holds a nation-wide campaign to "End Conscription Now".
Shifty releases the following albums: When You Come Back by Vusi Mahlasela and End Beginnings by Lesego Rampolokeng and the Kalahari Surfers. | Featured Items |
Jennifer Ferguson touring Australia till September.
Shifty releases Zen Surfing in the Third World by Robin Auld; Sunny Skies by James Phillips and the Lurchers/Cherry Faced Lurchers | Featured Items |
Opening night of ‘SA Love’ with Jennifer Ferguson, Tonia Selley and others at the Market Theatre, Johannesburg.
Jennifer Ferguson, Tony Cox, Steve Newman and others perform at the Cuyler Street '93 Festival, No 6 Cuyler Street.
Tananas perform as Tananas Orchestra Mundo at the Dock Road Theatre, Cape Town.
Jennifer Ferguson and Koos Kombuis perform at a Tuks Concert at the Musaion, Pretoria.
Tananas perform as Tananas Orchestra Mundo at the Dock Road Theatre, Cape Town.
Shifty releases the following albums: Soul Ou by James Phillips; Wisdom of Forgiveness by Vusi Mahlasela.
The End Conscription Campaign officially disbanded.
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Shifty releases the following albums: Made in South Africa by James Phillips, Sea Level by Urban Creep, New Africa Rock by various artists and Chrome Sweet Chrome by the Kêrels. | Featured Items |
James Phillips dies from complications following a car accident.
The James Phillips benefit concert – ‘Concert for James’.
Shifty releases Heavy Water by Robin Auld and Removable Tattoos by the Sunshines. | Featured Items |
Shifty releases Tightroper by Urban Creep | Featured Items |
Shifty releases Turn On You by Matthew van der Want and Shotdown by various artists | Featured Items |
Shifty releases Low Riding by Van derWant/Letcher | Featured Items |
Shifty releases Bignity by Van der Want/Letcher and Voëlvry/Die Toer by various artists. | Featured Items |
Johannes Kerkorrel commits suicide on the Rooisand road outside Kleinmond.
