Conversation starter

BOUWER BOSCH: FROM SINGING TO DISCUSSING APARTHEID Can talking and listening help reconciliation? This Afrikaans star might have the answer.

Adriaan Roets

If you don’t watch kykNET and don’t listen to alternative Afrikaans pop rock, you might not know Bouwer Bosch. That is about to change if you’re part of the generation that is online, vocal and conscious.

This week the singer uploaded the first instalment of a YouTube series entitled #Versoening (reconciliation) where he sat down with a stranger to apologise for Apartheid and sparked a conversation on the effects it had on various people.

It’s a fascinating move from someone who works as both artist and influencer to a predominately Afrikaans audience – which so often sweeps many ills under the rug.

The emotive video shows Bosch with Phindile Dhlamini. Eye to eye, Bosch starts the conversation about not only Apartheid, but his benefits from the system, until he hands over the reigns to Dhlamini, who then talks about her experiences after Apartheid and her life in modern-day South Africa.

In just over 10 minutes a range of emotions and topics are not only discussed, but felt. What emerges is a very important conversation that’s often lost among the screams in parliament, Spur or even people’s own homes.

“To be honest, it was a very rough start. As soon as I said the first sentence I realised that this is not just a simple exercise between two strangers.

“This is a lot of hurt and complicated issues being tackled so it was very emotional.

“Versoening is not even a conversation because I feel, firstly, we need to hear each other out, that is why I asked Phindile to hear me out and when I finished my apology it’s was her turn to say what was on her heart and then I just wanted to listen. It’s a small thing but just to sit and listen to someone is profound and we don’t have enough of that,” says Bosch

He’s not new to addressing issues through digital platforms. While his music videos, Instagram stories and Twitter feed attest to him as an enterprising creative, he is doing something different in this space – leaving behind humour and one-liners for emotive subject matter. But he maintains this isn’t click bait.

“I think there is a whole generation out there that is tired of all the noise. I think we will see more and more people just putting different conversations on the table. I also think we are at a place in SA where we are ready to engage more on these topics. The internet gives you a massive voice.”

While the apology started with Apartheid, Bosch believes Versoening can tackle a variety of issues. “I’m passionate about the gay debate as well, so there will be different topics and guests in the future.”

Topics like Apartheid, privilege and LGBTQI issues have torrid consequences in white and Afrikaans households and Bosch is aware this project could cause a dip in his popularity. But he seems to have his head on straight.

“The fact of the matter is, there will be people that don’t agree with me and there will be those that agree with me. It’s like that with everything you do these days. The conversation is the most important thing here, not me. But this is definitely going to cost me and that is okay,” he says.

But an irksome response to Bosch is that he didn’t architect Apartheid so why should he apologise? This is where #Versoening becomes interesting discourse.

“Phindile’s first comment to me was that it’s not my place and that it’s not my fault. And just that helped me to heal a little bit. Because I’m sitting with a lot of the guilt and shame for what the Apartheid government has done, so it’s about healing for everyone.

“That is the main criticism at the moment. My comment on that is, no one taking responsibility and just throwing your hands in the air got us nowhere in 23 years, so we need to try different things.

“But I apologise in the video for still benefitting today and I know that I have a headstart, and again, that is all symptoms of 50 years of oppression.”

While he’s starting a conversation, he’s also a busy man. A few months into 2017 and he has already appeared in a film, released a new album, filmed another movie with him in a starring role (called Vuil Wasgoed set for release in December) and travelled to Oukiep.

“I’ve had the privilege of working with Vito, a rapper from Namakwaland, for a few weeks where we went to his hometown Oukiep just outside of Springbok to tell his story.

“I was exposed to such a beautiful but different Afrikaans than mine so I am definitely getting more involved in young up and coming artists.”