South African Eisteddfod: A memory I’ll always cherish

The Welsh with whom we made contact while visiting younger brat came across convivial, polite, passionate – and honest.

Okay, perhaps I struck it lucky, but subsequently more folk from elsewhere concur that the adjectives accurately describe the average person hailing from this neck of the woods.

This wasn’t the first time I experienced the “Welsh connection”. While editing a newspaper in the ’80s, a stocky gentleman with a pronounced accent I couldn’t identify, pitched unannounced at our offices. We were on deadline, so, no visitors without an appointment.

Through the thin walls of my office I clearly heard the words spoken to the receptionist: “Lassy, if your editor is after an exclusive story, he’ll bend all the rules to see me – now.”

My curiosity pricked, I came out of hiding and invited the man into my parlour.

He cut to the quick and blurted, “Do you know what an Eisteddfod is?”

Noting my giveaway frown, he proceeded to describe one of the major musical events in Wales.

I was hooked, and so the South African International Eisteddfod was established and a close relationship with Keith Fleming was forged until his untimely death five years later.

What made the South African Eisteddfod unique was that it broke all political rules applying at the time.

Apartheid meant no fraternising between the races, and those familiar with the Welsh Eisteddfod know the event was entirely colour blind and music was the only criterion.

The opening night is indelibly imprinted on my brain.

Under a huge circus tent pitched beside a lake, whites, blacks and other hues sat side by side to witness talent that Fleming painstakingly procured from all parts of the country over a two-year period – often knocking heads with bureaucrats totally opposed to the multi-colour concept.

He also, by hook or crook, persuaded groups from other parts of the world to participate. Airlifting these musicians, including bands and choirs, proved a miracle on its own.

Sadly, Fleming took his dream to the grave.

The SA Eisteddfod is no more than a memory – a cherished one for me.

Cliff Buchler.