by Thinus Ferreira
Trace is renaming its Trace Africa (DStv 326) channel to Trace Ngoma with the change that will happen on 18 December and with the channel remaining on the same channel number on DStv run by Canal+'s MultiChoice.
In a press statement, Trace says Trace Africa is renamed Trace Ngoma "To strengthen the connection with South African audiences by offering
programming that reflects their identity and lived experience".
"Trace Ngoma provides culturally relevant content in local languages, rather
than a broad pan-African approach."
Olivier Laouchez, co-founder and Trace CEO, in the statement, says "Trace Ngoma is where music meets identity. It amplifies the rhythms and stories that define South African culture and gives young people a space to connect and feel seen".
Trace Ngoma will air DJ sets and performance shows, presenter-led programming blocks, docu-stories like The Booth and On the Come Up with Sipho Magosha about artists and producers, faith-influenced and traditional programming like Gospel Kickstarter, and continue to show music video playlists according to various genres and languages ranging from amapiano and Afri-pop to maskandi, hip-hop, gqom, gospel and lemkompo.
Locally curated shows include Amapiano plz, Maskandi Vibes, Ke Hip Hop Dawg!, Lekompo Fela and Top 10 Afropop.
