About this episode

The episode explores the cultural boycott of South Africa during the 1980s and its impact on the anti-apartheid movement.

The 1980s see South Africa spin out of control as defiance to apartheid and the regime’s crackdown builds. A cultural boycott of South Africa sees international musicians refuse to play there until Paul Simon controversially records his album Graceland with Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The world finally gets to hear the vibrant sounds of Zulu music but at what cost to the anti-apartheid movement?

Topics covered

• apartheid
• cultural boycott
• South Africa
• music
• defiance
• anti-apartheid movement

Keywords

• apartheid
• South Africa
• cultural boycott
• Paul Simon
• Graceland
• Ladysmith Black Mambazo
• 1980s
• Zulu music

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: South Africa, Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Books & works: Graceland

Places: 1980s

More episodes of ABC Rewind

• 06 | Boycott! | Homecoming · April 23, 2026
• 04 | Boycott! | The Grapefruit Ladies · April 2, 2026
• 03 | Boycott! | Uprising · March 26, 2026 · 36 min
• 02 | Boycott! | Blood Sport · March 19, 2026
• 01 | Boycott! | Spear of the Nation · March 12, 2026
• Introducing: Boycott! The fight to end apartheid · March 3, 2026

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