Interview with Koos Kombuis

Afrikaans musician speaks about his work, his kids and his future

Question: Koos, you are write your own music and have published a number of books, is that correct?

Answer: I am a writer by heart, yes, and music is just a hobby. In this sense, I am more lucky than other writers, for I have a direct line to my fans every time I do a live performance. The feedback I get from this is invaluable, though I must admit, I HATE signing autographs!

Question: What is your greatest accomplishment yet?

Answer: Giving up tobacco! It was much harder than heroin!


Question: The state of Afrikaans music in 2007?

Answer: So many lost opportunities. So much hiding away in the laager. There is lots of good music, but almost none of it is original. What country are these people living in?

Question: What projects are you currently working on?

I’ve just recorded a new CD entitled "Bloedrivier". And I’ve completed a sequel for my novel "The Secret Diary of God".

Question: What do you want to achieve in the next 10 years?

Answer: It depends on whether the ANC will give me the scope to work in. As long as I feel that they are turning me into a second-class citizen just because I happen to be white - something which is entirely beyond my control, by the way - every contribution I make to the culture of this country feels devalued, soiled, unappreciated. I demand respect. If I don’t get it, I will seriously consider moving elsewhere. If not Australia, then Namibia. Well, on second thoughts, DEFINITELY not Australia. If you think Zuma is bad news, think about Shane Warne...

Question: What do you do when you’re not working?

Answer: I play darts. I kick my dog. I entertain sexual fantasies about Helen Zille.

Question: Your two young children must keep you young?

Answer: They don’t make me young. They make me feel very old.

Question: What are you doing for Christmas?

Answer: I will spend every living second with my 2 aforementioned children, and I will call that "holiday". But it won’t be a holiday at all! As a matter of fact, my real holiday begins on the 16th of January, when school starts. Everything before that is pure unadulterated chaos, urban terror and total madness.

Thank you Koos for your time - we look forward to your new album!