Vuyisile Mini: The Voice That Defied Apartheid
History's Heroes
BBC
4.8 • 824 Ratings
🗓️ 3 March 2026
⏱️ 30 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In 1950s South Africa, under the system of apartheid, a powerful song catches fire among Black communities. But to sing it could result in imprisonment. Its author - the musician, poet and union organiser Vuyisile Mini - prepares to put his life on the line.
Stories of bold voices, with brave ideas and the courage to stand alone. Historian Alex von Tunzelmann shines a light on remarkable people from across history.
A BBC Studios production.
Producer: Michael LaPointe Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann Executive Producer: Paul Smith Commissioning editor for Radio 4: Rhian Roberts
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | BBC Sounds, Music, Radio Podcasts. |
| 0:05.6 | Oh, hello. You have chosen a BBC podcast, but before you listen to it, we thought you might like our podcast too. |
| 0:12.1 | You might. You might. It is called Sightraught with me, Nick Grimshaw. |
| 0:15.2 | And me, Annie Mack. And we talk about the week in music. |
| 0:18.2 | All the news, all the cultural happenings in the UK and beyond. |
| 0:22.2 | And great guests. |
| 0:23.3 | And it's on BBC Sounds. |
| 0:24.7 | Yes, where you can also enjoy lots of playlists, music mixes and live radio. |
| 0:29.9 | Everything from my six music breakfast show to Radio 3 Unwind. |
| 0:34.5 | But obviously start with our podcast, sidetrack. |
| 0:36.3 | Obviously. |
| 0:36.7 | Obviously. |
| 0:38.2 | So if you like music, listen on BBC Sounds. |
| 0:40.8 | South Africa, the 1950s. |
| 0:44.5 | The country was under the system of apartheid. |
| 0:48.0 | People were segregated by their race, which was legally defined as white, Indian, colored, or black. |
| 0:56.4 | Whites were given the highest status, blacks were given the lowest. |
| 1:02.1 | Among black communities, a song was catching fire. |
| 1:10.0 | It carried a pointed message for the |
| 1:16.6 | Ford, |
| 1:17.6 | Be careful of the Black Man. |
| 1:21.6 | Those were the lyrics. Beware Vervort, the Black Man is coming. |
... |
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