Description
This paper gives an account of the past and recent developments and the challenges facing the South African music industry today. It chronicles the transition stages of the different music tunes deriving from the early days of Mbube sounds in the 1940's through to today's popular Kwaito beat.

About the authors
Randall Abrahams was Station Manager of Cape Towns Good Hope FM from 1994 to 1997. In this capacity he was in charge of all programming functions including on-air talent, station production, station sound, managing music programming, promotions and publicity functions and liaison with PR agencies, advertising agencies and record companies. From 1997, Randall has been Station Manager of YFM. Randall held the position of Deputy Chairperson of South Africas broadcast industry association, the NAB, in 2000 and was elected chairperson of the NAB in 2001. He joined the SABC in July 2002 as General Manager: Public Commercial Broadcasting Services (Radio) and currently manages 5FM, Metro FM, Good Hope FM, Radio Bop and Radio 2000. Comment and suggestions on this paper may be e-mailed to the author c/o .