RC 260808SAfm
Saturday, 8 August 2026
Music of Africa focused on Niger’s independence story, then moved through artist spotlights on Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Orchestra Marabenta Star de Moçambique and Kojo Antwi, with listener requests and SAFM’s 90th birthday reflected on-air.
- 03:32
Niger was the weekend’s country focus: its independence from France on 3 August 1960 was paired with Arbor Day, when trees are planted each year to fight the Sahara and protect the soil.
- 03:59
Archived footage of Niger’s first independence celebrations highlighted local industries, weaving, markets, horsemen and parade pageantry, framing the young republic as proud and determined to show itself off.
- 04:12
Yvonne Chaka Chaka was celebrated as the “Princess of Africa”, with her Soweto roots, 1980s hits and decades of humanitarian work on HIV/Aids, malaria, women’s empowerment and education.
- 04:32
Orchestra Marabenta Star de Moçambique was credited with taking marabenta worldwide from 1979, while Kojo Antwi was presented as Ghana’s “Mr Music Man” with love songs spanning more than four decades.