A couple of weeks ago, a social media post by the renowned South African composer Bongani Ndodana-Breen alerted me to a musician I hadn't heard of before – Jessie Margaret Soga (1870-1954). I've now added her to the timeline.
Since beginning this research, I've been really struck by how few historical South African musicians I've been able to identify in Britain, particularly given the connections that existed with South Africa during this period so it was great to hear about all the amazing things she did. It's also very interesting to note that she was so heavily political (in the Scottish suffrage movement) at a time when a more well-known Afro-British musician – Samuel Coleridge-Taylor – was very involved with Pan-Africanism. Both used their musical skills to raise funds and awareness in support of their respective sociopolitical activities.
Jessie M. Soga was a Xhosa-Scottish singer born in South Africa. Shortly after her father Tiyo's death in 1871 when she was still a baby, the remaining family moved to Scotland where she became involved in singing from childhood initially as a performer, and then as a teacher.
She studied singing and music at the Royal Academy of Music in 1894-5, and later gaining further qualifications from there as her career progressed in the early 20th century. During this period, Soga featured as a soloist in several large scale concerts with choral societies across Scotland while also becoming very involved in women's suffrage campaigns and organising multiple fundraising events for the cause.
Despite the rest of her family returning to South Africa over the years, Jessie Soga remained in Scotland and died in Glasgow at the age of 83.
Thanks to Bongani for bringing Jessie Soga to my attention. I strongly recommend listening to his work, if you haven't already!
