The Event
STRAB - a unique success story about SA music lovers and the Mozambicans of Ponta Malongane
The Subterranean Rhythm & Blues (“STRAB”) experience started in 2003 when a group of 60 scuba divers from the dive school Ocean Ecstasy in Pretoria decided to add some live music to one of their weekends in Ponta Malongane, in the south of Mozambique. It was initially held in August and was known as “The Birthday Bash”.
After much deliberation it was decided to invite the legendary local band Jack Hammer to perform life at the event. The band plays a large variety of music, from love ballads to hard rock in both Afrikaans and English. The fact that all their songs have powerful lyrics and speak to all music lovers made them a perfect choice and added to the success of the weekend.
Only about 120 South Africans participated in the second event and all enjoyed a weekend of fun, scuba and rock & roll. Piet Botha, lead singer and guitarist from Jack Hammer, was so moved by the experience that he wrote a song about Mozambique and insisted that another weekend be arranged. Annerie, owner of Ocean Ecstasy, gladly obliged, and The Subterranean Rhythm & Blues Experience was born. Piet Botha suggested the name which comes for the Bob Dylan song “Subterranean and Home sick Blues”. The combination of sea, scuba diving and music reminded him of something “subterranean”. A professional sound engineer (Conrad Jamneck) and lighting was added to the equation and more than a hundred scuba divers and other music fans joined the third party the next year.
In 2005, the festival stepped up a notch or two, with bands like Southern Gypsy Queen, Scicoustic and Albert Frost being added to the line-up.
In 2006, the STRAB team went all out while still aiming to provide a balance between the number of bands and the number of people that Ponta Malongane can accommodate, while still retaining the relaxed spirit of the beautiful venue. Akkedis, Clark & Van der Hoven, Gian Groen, Janice & the Half Jacks, Die KaalkopWaarheid, Orkez, Riku Latti, Steelkant, STRAB All Stars and The Lost joined the four bands from the previous year, turning STRAB into an exclusive but established event on the musical calendar.
In 2007 Malongane was filled to capacity for the first time. Some people even booked accommodation in resorts nearby just to be able to share the experience and to see the bands perform. Dan Patlansky, Brixton Moord en Roof, No Quarter, Ménage à Trois, Fake Leather Blues Band, Tidal Waves, Gerald Clark + Henry Steele, D-DAY 4-EVER , Natalie Chapman, Couch Potatoes, Kenny & POROROCA played at STRAB for the first time.
Since 2008 STRAB has continued to provide exposure to bands from rock to blues to jazz to fusions of these. We continue to aspire to provide “Original music for original people” (favourite line from our good friends Tidal Waves).
But this is not where the story ends...
In his song “Mozambique” from the Jack Hammer album “The Pilgrim”, Piet Botha sings of his love for the venue and about true reconciliation:
We must get back to the garden
And I beg of you
For forgiveness for all the deeds
Our fathers did do
Surely comes a time
Many years of peace and prosperity
Ah you beauty
Beautiful Mozambique
Motivated by the sad lessons from the past and the sentiments voiced in the song “Mozambique” the event is not all about taking.· Every year an investment is made to assist the local community. This is done with compassion and gratitude for the difference Mozambique has made in the lives of those who have shared the STRAB experience and for the kindness of the people we experience each time we return.
In 2006, Annerie (one of the owners of STRAB) took the initiative and the STRAB team started the programme by enquiring about the needs of the little community of Malongane.· It was suggested that the local primary school needed some assistance. As its first attempt at providing assistance, STRAB supplied the school with soccer equipment for their team (as soccer has strong support in the area) as well as bulk stationery.
In 2007 it was decided to support the Mineseeker Foundation which turns mine fields into farmlands.· While half of the funds were donated for the removal of landmines the remaining funds were used to sponsor Julio Colete to obtain the Advanced International Diploma in Computer Engineering.· Julio has lost both his legs in a landmine accident while walking to school.
In 2008, the organisers have identified an amazing charity organization that cares for the orphaned children of Mozambique. It is known as the “Community Church of Mozambique Children’s Home” and was founded by Annette Ntombiyenkosi (Meaning the Lord’s daughter) an astonishing selfless woman from the Free State who started out as a missionary and slowly built a children’s home to care for children without families. This orphanage, situated north of Ponta Malongane is currently housing 34 homeless children, providing them with shelter, food and schooling.· The vision of the children’s home is to provide in the basic needs of the children but also train them in skills to ensure that they would be self sufficient once they grow up.· This year, the intention is to continue our support for the children.
The vision of the children’s home is to provide in the basic needs of the children but also train them in skills to ensure that they would be self sufficient once they grow up.
STRAB continues until today to assist in uplifting the growing community of Ponta Malongane.
STRAB 2012
Due to its location, STRAB will always be an exclusive event. The venue does not allow for thousands of people to flock to Malongane and this is how it will remain. Those who attend the festival are committed music lovers and have always supported the festival’s philosophy of respect, love and harmony.
In 2012, the STRAB experience will commence on Wednesday 23 May with a beach party against the backdrop of the turquoise sea. Building on this the official festival starts on 24 May, with a line-up of about 20 bands that will perform on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday.