If you love music and traveling then you’ve probably made a road trip mix tape to go along with the journey.

On it you probably included not only your favourite tracks but also those hits that just seem to scream ‘going somewhere with a purpose’. Those instant ‘pick-me-ups’ that keep you alert and in the mood to continue on your trek.

Without further delay, introducing five of the best SA tracks to travel to.

Johnny Clegg – Great Heart

Dancer, anthropologist, singer, songwriter, academic, activist and French knight… Whilst all of these tags are fitting, none of them can accurately describe this energetic, passionate human being, who recently completed his farewell tour. The title song for the 1992 film Jock of the Bushveld, is still a proudly South African staple eagerly sung along to by all who hope to leave the world better than they found it.

Sipho Mabuse "Hotsticks" – Burnout

One only needs to hear the first chords resonating for the desire to dance to set in. While car dancing is acceptable for passengers, remember that it is advisable that the driver remains undistracted. This multi-instrumentalist has already spent five decades in the music industry and played everything from township disco to jazz. Burn Out (1984) made recording history with half a million units and stayed on top of the charts of every radio station for weeks.

Goldfish - Soundtracks and Comebacks

Nothing sounds quite as much like summer than a Goldfish song. Their genre-defying mix of live instruments, House beats and searing live performances has seen Goldfish go from impromtu jams to the dance clubs of the world with props coming from everyone from Dr Dre, Sebastian Ingrosso, Pete Tong, Sander Kleinenberg, Fedde Le Grand and Faithless. The Re-invention of the DJ has arrived.

Die Heuwels Fantasties – Beloofde Land

This ground-breaking group, considered to be the first successful Afrikaans electronic act, hails Bellville, Cape Town and describe their music as “melodic songs written on acoustic guitar, interpreted with electronic and organic instruments. You can call it pop.” They’ve won every notable award in South Africa for their music and music videos.

Mango Groove – Hometalk

Careful of this 1990’s chart topper if you’re going to be behind the wheel, Mango Groove’s catchy tunes will soon have you tapping your feet along! This iconic South African band has enjoyed over 12 Number 1 hits and received every conceivable SA music and video award, as well as a number of global ones. Many have tried to define the Mango Groove sound, and have resorted to a host of adjectives and phrases: Kwela / Marabi Pop, SA Pop, Big Band Swing Pop, Electro-Pop etc. But to put it simply – nothing sounds quite like Mango Groove.

What's your favourite SA song to listen to while road tripping? Let us know on the poll in the right pane of the blog home page.