In 1958, a decade into its apartheid regime, the government of South Africa began to grow weary of the increased international disapproval of their racist system. A decision was made to assemble an all- star orchestra of black musicians, and to send them out on a goodwill world tour. The Golden City Dixies consisted of hand-picked musicians, singers and dancers from across South Africa's townships, and were meant to prove to the world that Africans could thrive within the apartheid system.

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Stockholm was the second stop of their European tour, and the reception and the treatment they received was astonishing to the members of the troupe. And before The Golden City Dixies left for their next stop, 10 of the 24 members decided to apply for political asylum in Sweden. This is the story of what happened next.

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