SUN MeDIA launches Jannie du Toit book

October 11, 2011 4 Comments

Jannie du Toit

SUN MeDIA recently launched Onderweg – ‘n musiekstorie van 40 jaar, a book written by Jannie du Toit, one of South Africa’s most famous Afrikaans songwriters and performers. This coffee table book details his expansive career in music and on stage.

The book is simultaneously a record of the development of a certain genre of Afrikaans music and a testimony to Jannie’s role and contribution to this industry. Apart from many other awards, Jannie received an honorary award from the South African Arts Council in 2008 for his contribution to Afrikaans music.

In this publication – illustrated with unique and authentic artwork, photos, newspaper clippings and letters – Jannie tells the story of his music career. His story starts 40 years ago, when light Afrikaans music was in its infancy, to where it has grown to be a most significant role player in the South African music industry today.

Jannie du Toit was determined to always remain a “down-to-earth guy” who makes music. The book details his determination to bring good Afrikaans music to appreciative audiences and to make it available in retail stores through his company JNS Musiek. Through his efforts he has laid the foundation for a range of other musicians to launch their musical careers. With renowned pianist Christa Steyn, he has since toured over 25 countries, sharing his passion for Afrikaans music with the world.

Onderweg is Jannie’s story in words and images, and it forms part of a project that comprises a stage performance by the same name, as well as a laser disc set consisting of:

  • a double CD-album with 40 songs: Vroeër and Later and
  • a DVD with video material: Kyk

The book is placed in context by the 20 video extracts in Kyk. It starts off with the student music group Trilogie of the ’70s; moves through the ’80s when Jannie wrote musicals for Tukkies (The University of Pretoria) and then through the years with his music-, travel- and soul mate Christa Steyn, with whom he has now been creatively co-operating for over 25 years on stage and in the studio. The DVD provides an emotionally charged collage of his career including music videos such as “Gee ons Vrede” and “Pie Jesu” with Coenie de Villiers and Chris Chameleon, as well as performances with many other musician friends and colleagues. A highlight included on the DVD is a television actuality programme from the ’80s when Koos Du Plessis performed his well-known song “Kinders van die Wind” during one of the song evenings in Jannie’s house at Margareta Street 28 in Pretoria.

Arts and Culture, Corporate & Alumni, General
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4 Responses to “SUN MeDIA launches Jannie du Toit book”

  1. Lindy October 17, 2011 at 15:00

    Your coffee table needs this book!!!

    Oh, and if you can, buy the CD/DVD set too… the DVD has some priceless clips!

  2. Wilna Kilian October 17, 2011 at 14:08

    Jakkals prys nou wel sy eie stert, maar ek dink die is ‘n PRAG boek wat ek graag uitstal op my koffietafel! Well done Justa & Liezel – ons is trots op julle!

  3. Justa du P Niemand October 17, 2011 at 14:06

    Dankie – ons is self heel ingenome met die eindproduk en bly vir die geleentheid om hierdie spesifiek vir Afrikaans te kon doen. Justa, namens SUN MeDIA Span

  4. Jopie Koen October 12, 2011 at 18:32

    Baie geluk Justa en jou mense – ook met die puik eindproduk. Nog elke keer wanneer iemand die boek sien, is hulle eerste opmerking oor die wonderlike kwaliteit daarvan. Jopie