R.I.P Nelson Mandela

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (born July 18, 1918 in Mvezo, Transkei, South Africa, † December 5, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa) found last freedom today

Music from Canada/ South Afrrica – Sigauque Project

Sigauque Project is the creation of Canadian-born Daniel Walter, a radio producer and musician who heads up a media company specialising in communication for social change, CMFD (Community Media for Development) Productions, based in Johannesburg. The group combines musical influences from across Africa – from a new take on Marrabenta to Senegalese Mbalak and Nigerian Afro Beat, with some smooth sounding jazz thrown in the mix, a pan-African musical journey. The music was originally created as part of music projects across Africa addressing issues such as human rights, gender, xenophobia, etc and is now performed by the Maputo-based band. Listen to their piece “ZI Clip”:

Music from South Africa – Miriam Makeba

Miriam Makeba, who is also known as Mama Africa, was a singer-songwriter and an actress from South Africa. She was born in 1932 near Johannesburg and died in Castel Volturno, Italy in 2008 at the age of 76 after performing at a concert.
She campaigned against the system of apartheid until the government revoked her citizenship and right of return. But also in Exile she didn’t stop fighting.
She is best known for her song “Pata Pata” which I first listened to five years ago during a music lesson in school. This morning I watched one of the YouTube videos on my Facebook feed and I heard the melody which has been in my head for all this years. :)

Interesting Trivia: Mama Africa’s full name is: Zenzile Makeba Qgwashu Nguvama Yiketheli Nxgowa Bantana Balomzi Xa Ufun Ubajabulisa Ubaphekeli Mbiza Yotshwala Sithi Xa Saku Qgiba Ukutja Sithathe Izitsha Sizi Khabe Singama Lawu Singama Qgwashu Singama Nqamla Nqgithi This name immortalizes not only her maternal ancestors, but also their qualities.