Amampondo, a South African percussion ensemble, was founded in 1979 in Langa, Cape Town by Dizu Plaatjies. The group’s first professional recording, The Heartbeat of Africa - Uyandibiza, was recorded live at Cape Town City Hall in 1983. Subsequent releases include Inyama (1997), Drums for Tomorrow (1997), Vuyani (2000), Raw And Undiluted (2005), and African Classics (2008). Their performances included a 1988 Wembley concert for Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday, a 1996 Olympic opening ceremony appearance, and collaborations with Archbishop Desmond Tutu on Give Praise Where Praise Is Deserved. The ensemble toured internationally, while former leader Dizu Plaatjies pursued his own project, Ibuyambo.
