HHP raps in sync with SA’s students

A protest was in full swing.

North-West University students with placards and fists in the air chant “Pasopa, pasopa!” and “Fees must fall!”. Then they do it again – until the director is happy.

This was a music-video shoot for hip-hop artist HHP’s latest track, Pasopa (loosely translated to “watch out”). The track is dedicated to the students’ struggle.

The music video was shot outside the North-West University Mafikeng Campus, which was closed after violent protests two weeks ago.

Those who volunteered to be in the video include students from the university – and for them, it felt like a real protest.

“For me, this is not about a music video, but it’s a video message to those in power to consider our plea for free education. We need it now!” said final-year BCom student Joy Stephen.

Another student, Hope Letsholo, said she joined the shoot “to help get the real message across”.

HHP, whose real name is Jabulani Tsambo, said the track from his latest album, Motswako High School, represented frustrated South Africans.

The hard-hitting lyrics take a swipe at politicians.

“By any means necessary, according to the Freedom Charter o nketsa bari [you’re taking me for a fool] ... we want jobs now, we want houses now ... free education, free university. Politicians are failing, oppression continues...” he raps.

The artist said he was moved to make the video when he received a frantic call from his nephew, a student at North-West University, during the protests.

“I could hear the shooting in the background and later on he sent me pictures of what looked like live ammunition casings,” HHP said.

He said that while he supported the students in their struggle, he strongly condemned any damage to the institution’s infrastructure.