Die Kaapse Affodille Dames Boereorkes

The Cape Daffodils Female Folk Band – based in Cape Town

Afrikaans Name: Die Kaapse Affodille Dames Boereorkes

The Cape Daffodils Folk Band is a unique group of musicians that won the ‘Sandra Mynhardt’ trophy for the best performance in the woman’s division at the National ‘Boeremusiekgilde’ (folk music) Competition in 2009. Since then they have been conquering the South African Afrikaans folk music scene with their energetic performances and unique style.

This 8-piece ladies band, play traditional folk music with a modern touch, the concertina being the lead instrument, and they also entertain audiences with the accordion, banjo, harmonica, lead guitar, singing and supporting instruments such as the acoustic guitar, bass guitar and drum kit. On occasions they will mesmerize the crowd when three ladies will play their individual concertinas at the same time – traditional South African folk songs, such as Suikerbossie and Sarie Marais.

They have featured in many established newspapers and magazines in South Africa such as: Rapport, Die Burger, Beeld, Rooi Rose, Sarie, and Khuluma Inflight Magazine and have also featured on television inserts in the programs, Kwela and DKNT. The band has also been broadcasted on national radio in South Africa. One of the bands most memorable performances was recently at the Nelson Mandela Celebrations with Media24 on the 12^th of February. They have also been invited to play with some of the country’s most successful rock artists, such as Karen Zoid and Valiant Swart on the 12^th of March and before then they are performing at the Harvest of Joy Festival on the 5^th of March, near Worcester.

The Cape Daffodils have played at many festivals and have been invited to the ABSA KKNK Festival 2011, (one of the largest festivals in South Africa), to go and participate at ‘DIE BURGER’ and RSG stages.

The eight band members are as follows:

• Mariaan Wiese – Band leader (music / arrangements) – plays the concertina, bass guitar, flute, banjo, guitar, harmonica and piano
• Leonie Avenant – Marketing and Manager – Plays the Bass guitar in the band, piano, as well as concertina, she is also an electronic musician and vocalist
• Rene Steenkamp – Also plays the concertina, banjo, guitar and bass guitar and the French Horn
• Rena Smuts – Plays guitar, bass guitar and drums
• Luzette Stemmet – Plays the drums and piano/keyboard, and she is an outstanding bass guitar, electric and acoustic guitar player
• Karin K – Plays the electric and acoustic guitars, and piano. She is also a well-known solo-artist in the Afrikaans music scene.
• Sandra Prins – She is the accordion player in the band, but also plays other instruments such as the piano/keyboard and concertina
• Karen O'Dell – Plays the piano/keyboard, flute and guitar

The Cape Daffodils have played with many well-known artists in South Africa (individually and as a group).They are extremely passionate about their instruments and music!