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Okkie Durham

Okkie Durham: The Man Behind the Music

Early Life and Influences

Okkie Durham was born in 1933 in the small town of Kempton Park, South Africa. He grew up in a musical family and was exposed to a wide range of genres, including jazz, classical, and folk. At a young age, he began playing the piano and guitar and quickly developed a passion for music.

Durham was particularly influenced by American blues and folk music. He listened to records by artists such as Lead Belly, Woody Guthrie, and Pete Seeger and was inspired by their raw and emotional performances. These influences would later shape his own musical style.

Career Beginnings

Durham began his professional music career in the early 1960s, playing in folk clubs and coffeehouses around South Africa. He quickly gained a reputation as a talented guitarist and singer and was soon invited to perform at major folk festivals.

In 1965, Durham released his debut album, “The Folk Songs of Okkie Durham.” The album was a critical and commercial success and helped to establish him as one of the leading folk artists in South Africa. He followed up with several more successful albums, including “The Ballad of Okkie Durham” (1967) and “Freedom Come All Ye” (1970).

Activism and Exile

Durham was an outspoken critic of the apartheid regime in South Africa and used his music to promote social justice. He was arrested several times for his political activities and was eventually forced to leave the country in 1972.

Durham spent the next several years living in exile in London, where he continued to write and perform music. He also became involved in the anti-apartheid movement and worked with other exiled South African artists to raise awareness of the struggle against apartheid.

Return to South Africa

Durham returned to South Africa in 1990 after the release of Nelson Mandela and the end of apartheid. He was welcomed back as a hero and was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga, the highest honor that can be bestowed on a South African citizen.

Durham continued to perform and record music until his death in 2008. He left behind a legacy of powerful and moving songs that continue to inspire and give hope to people around the world.