Native Harmonic Society

The Native Harmonic Society was a black dramatic group founded shortly before the outbreak of the South African war (1899-1902) and was composed of members of the black middle class in King Williams Town.

History

It received very little publicity in the white-controlled press. Amongst the prime movers were Paul Xiniwe (a local businessman and rival of J. T. Jabavu) and his wife. The society was a manifestation of the aspirations of black progressives in the town and attracted female and male members, providing one of the few opportunities for women to participate in clubs with men. In 1898 John Knox Bokwe arranged a concert to raise money for the 'Native School Room' in Market Street and to help build other schools amongst 'heathen kraals' in the district. This unusual event prompted the Cape Mercury to write: "It is some considerable time since a concert of this kind was given by Natives in King (Williams Town). “African voices are usually rich in choral singing ... ," it wrote. The parallel cultural ambitions of mission-educated and westernised blacks was largely ignored by the Cape Mercury and Kaffrarian Watchman and only occasionally, when a concert inspired some aspect of interest to whites, such as education or fund-raising for charity, were they mentioned. An example of this was a concert organized by the Native Harmonic Society to raise funds for the Colonial Widows and Orphans Fund. The Society included members such Paul and Pellem Xiniwe, Miss Ntshoko, Miss Mangcu, Mr. Albert Jonas and Mr. Mvambo. The concert attracted a large and fashionable audience, but otherwise the Native Harmonic Society received a minimum amount of publicity in the town's Press.