In a dusty corner of a shantytown, a young African boy, dressed in ragged clothes, dances, sings, and plays a “blik kitaar” home made from an old Mobiloil can. Too poor to aford a real guitar, he’s fashioned one from scraps found at the local dump, the can still bearing the faded iconic Pegasus logo. As his fingers strum the strings which are made from unraveled bicycle brake wire, the air fills with a sound that is unmistakably African. The “blik kitaar” is mainly found in South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. The unique rhythm and sound produced from this home made guitar echoes the spirit and soul of Southern Africa itself. Behind him, a weathered corrugated iron fence stretches into the distance, with his modest home visible beyond.

Artist full name or pseudonym (used in search fields)

Tony Beckley

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African, music, oil can, Mobiloil, pegasus, guitar, musician, shanty, shantytown, colourful, vibrant, rhythm, African boy, strumming, sound, sound of Africa.