DLALA MAPANTSULA: A LIVING ARCHIVE OF KWAITO CULTURE
When we speak about the preservation of culture in contemporary South Africa, Dikatara and their event Dlala Mapantsula deserve to be at the forefront of the conversation. More than just a nostalgic gathering, Dlala Mapantsula is an immersive tribute to the aMapantsula and Kwaito movements, celebrated through fashion, music, art, and intergenerational storytelling.
The inaugural exhibition, curated by Zoleka Monta in 2022, was boldly titled "I Miss My Nigga Brown Dash". The name, drawn from the lyrics of Riky Rick’s emotionally charged song "Nafukwa", set the tone for what would become an ongoing cultural archive. According to Monta, the exhibition not only honoured Brown Dash, a Kwaito icon, but also reflected how the late Riky Rick, king of the youth and pioneer of culture, was himself deeply inspired by the Kwaito era.
The second exhibition featured dynamic portraits of artists and skaters styled in Strachan and Myburgh beanies, captured through the lenses of photographers Nondumiso Shange and Tshidiso Mothusi. The event was blessed by the presence of Trompies member Jakarumba, anchoring the exhibition in the presence of those who shaped the movement firsthand.
Fast forward to 5 July 2025, and Dlala Mapantsula returned for its third iteration, this time with a double dose of nostalgia. The first part of the exhibition transported guests back to the street corner store of their youth, complete with murabaraba, card games, marbles (ama ali), and arcade setups. The second installation invited visitors into gogo’s living room, a sacred space where wisdom is shared, heirlooms are displayed, and legacy is passed down.
Here, a powerful tribute to Brown Dash took centre stage with a display of his accolades and awards. Traditional staples like Dakotas, Strachan and Myburgh beanies, and Dobbs hats adorned the room, each item carrying a story, a memory, a rhythm of its own. Even more moving was the presence of Brown Dash’s sons, who took attendees through each award, threading personal memory into the collective history of Kwaito.
Adding to the immersive experience was a photobooth that quickly became a hotspot for stylish snapshots and cultural expression, beautifully operated by Insta Calvin and No Ordinary Human, who captured the essence of the day with flair and finesse.
The musical lineup was electric, featuring:
DJ Doowap brought her signature genre bending energy.
Lia Butler soothed the crowd with harmonious melodies.
Yo Miyaa delivered raw hip hop poetry.
Make Me Dance DJs lived up to their name, sending the crowd into a frenzy of footwork.
But what truly stole the show were the aMapantsula themselves, decked out in full regalia, bold and beautiful. They came to dance, and dance they did. At one point, the youth opened a circle outside with just a speaker and spirit, reminding everyone that Kwaito is not just a genre; it’s a pulse. It’s a way of being.
Dlala Mapantsula: The Return was not just an event. It was a statement. A memory reawakened. A community revived. A culture preserved.
