Johannesburg, South Africa

Gimme Hope Jo'anna by Eddy Grant

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She makes a few of her people happy
She don't care about the rest at all
She's got a system they call apartheid
It keeps a brother in a subjection Read full Lyrics
South Africa, the country of sunshine and soccer. But beneath that sun-kissed veneer, lie the scars of a turbulent past.

The Apartheid regime in South Africa saw a government legislate segregation. It was perhaps no worse than the segregation between blacks and whites in the United States, but in South Africa it was law. Convicted of sabotage as a member of the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC) and considered a terrorist, Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in a prison cell.

Downtown Johannesburg<br>Photo: Terry CronjeDowntown Johannesburg
Photo: Terry Cronje
After his release in 1990, Mandela worked tirelessly to bring about much-needed change to a country devolving into violence and hatred. His long walk to freedom culminated in the first truly democratic elections since the Apartheid regime came into power, and in 1994 Mandela became the president of South Africa. The country reeled in the bliss of freedom and the promise of better things to come. In 1995, the promise of South Africa rising from the quagmire of racism and international sanctions became tangible when Francois Pienaar led the Springbok rugby team to victory in the Rugby World Cup. Here was the hope Eddy Grant had been singing about.

Guyanan-born reggae artist Eddy Grant wrote the song "Gimme Hope Jo'anna" in the 1980s, long before Mandela's release. The song was banned in South Africa, the lyrics spouting anti-regime sentiments tantamount to blasphemy, calling the country out on its use of violence in dealing with the Soweto uprising of 1976, its soldiers' participation in the Angolan civil war, and its use of propaganda to spread pro-Apartheid ideas.

The Jo'anna of Grant's song is the personification of Johannesburg. Though not the capital of South Africa, Joburg is the biggest city and a cultural melting pot in which you can find representatives of all of South Africa's major cultures; and for a country with 11 official languages, that's a lot. It is also known as the city of gold, as translated from the Zulu name eGoli, and is the "it" and "happening" place of the country.

Though Eddy Grant never visited South Africa, his song struck a chord with the locals, and despite the ban, the song was played in homes and at private parties. After 1994 it became an unofficial national anthem and was played repeatedly on major radio stations. Such was the atmosphere post-1994. The irony is that, despite Mandela's dream and all that he and De Klerk worked so hard to achieve, South Africa succumbed to a reverse racism. Blacks were understandably angry for the years of suppression and this anger was taken out on the white minority by both government officials and civilians. Julius Malema - leader of the ANC Youth League and the man current president Jacob Zuma touted as the next leader of South Africa - was convicted of hate speech in 2010. Malema is perhaps most notoriously known for the use of his anthem Shoot the Boer, "boer" being the Afrikaans word for farmer and a derogatory term for whites in general. The attitude of these individuals towards the white populace is pretty clear and is definitely not the political sentiment Mandela aimed for, nor the sentiment of hope and joy for which Eddy Grant's song is renowned.

Johannesburg at night<br>(thanks, Terry Cronje)Johannesburg at night
(thanks, Terry Cronje)
Sadly, this powerful, uplifting song was reduced to little more than a jingle by Yop, the yoghurt-based drink, for a commercial in which the lyrics were changed to "give me Yop (me mama) when the morning come."

But politics and yoghurt commercials aside, "Gimme Hope Jo'anna" is an upbeat reggae tune with a suitably ethnic vibe maintaining the punchy rhythm beneath Grant's heavily accented lyrics. The inclusion of the pennywhistle tune is particularly "African-sounding" and similar to the whistle melodies used by definitively South African pop group Mango Groove. Despite the lively quality of this song - designed to get toes tapping - the lyrics are really the most important feature. And while South Africa will forever bear the stigma of Apartheid, the hope Grant had for the rainbow nation has been immortalized in this song, hope that should never be forgotten in the face of politics.

Suzanne van Rooyen
March 17, 2012
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Comments: 6

  • Dorothy from New ZealandWell written, well rounded.
  • Kgari Legoale from Soweto, Johannesburg, South AfricaWell written article but Eddie Grant have visited South Africa in May, 2009. I thank you.
  • Tiejan Kamara, Alhaji from Richmond Virginia I love this song and I love Eddie Grant for standing against the bullies of our brothers and sisters in South Africa under the Apartheid regime. Racism, hate, discrimination and prejudices against people because of the color of their skin should not be encouraged again any where in this world. Racism, or apartheid hate is barbaric, evil and cruel. I have never met Eddie Grant in person but I love his music. He was my hero when I first heard his song “ I DON’T WANNA DANCE” and Joanna Gimme hope before the morning come” made me take or see Eddie Grant as my elder brother. I pray that God give him long life and good health for us to meet one day and for me to share my love, respect and appreciation I have for his liberation songs “ GIMME. HOPE” and for standing up against bullies in former apartheid South Africa. Once again, thank you very much Eddie Grant. I’m originally from Sierra Leone, West Africa but I’m currently in the United States. Eddie, you are the modern day Bob Marley. I love you and may God continue to bless you and your family. Much love and respect.
    Your song was still relevant in America under Trump. We thank God we now have Joe Biden as President.
  • Scott Johnson from Sydney Australia Really well written. Love this song and always wondered what Jo'anna was. Thank you.
  • Bayanda from Richards BayWho is being referred to in line 4 of the song
  • Patricia Sullivan (retired Nurse) from I Am Anglo Irish. Living Near BournemouthI simply love this song and play it every day on my computer. Eddie Grant is 'my era' - The Equals: Baby come Back 1967. I despise the idea of apartheid. We are ALL God's family whatever our skin colour. The only place for apartheid is in the utility room when sorting the laundry.
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