Basil Coetzee

Born in Cape Town's notorious District Six, Basil Coetzee worked his way up to recognition as a key player with Dollar Brand (later to become Abdullah Ibrahim), with Mannenberg (named after the district to which Coetzee's family was forcibly removed by the government), and becoming internationally known following its 1974 appearance. The South African music scene underwent a drastic collapse in the mid-'70s, unfortunately, with many top performers forced into exile or jailed. Coetzee remained in South Africa, but was unable to sustain himself through his music, eventually taki...