Tag: South Africa

  • Ladysmith Black Mambazo on Nelson Mandela

    Ladysmith Black Mambazo on Nelson Mandela

    South Africa’s Cultural Ambassadors Speak On Madiba’s Passing

    The Grammy-winning South African vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo has released this message on the passing of President Nelson Mandela, who once said their music was a great inspiration to him. “The Father of our nation, Nelson Mandela, has finished his journey. One wants to think in terms of big words when describing him, but this would not be right. Among the many things one can say about our Madiba (Nelson Mandela’s tribal name) is that he never thought of himself as big. He was one of us, one of the people. His journey was our journey. And although he has physically left us now, his journey continues within us all. More After The Jump… (more…)

  • Steel Pulse: Tribute To The Martyrs, 1979

    From Handsworth to Haiti—The Song Remains The Same

    On this MLK Day, let us pause to reflect on the words of the man who sacrificed his life to the struggle for equal rights and justice:

    Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable… Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.

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  • Lucky Dube’s Killers Convicted

    They tried to run, but they could not hide. Even their last, desperate escape attempt—using a brick to bash a police officer as their prison van arrived at Johannesberg High Court a few days ago—proved unsuccessful. And so Sfiso Mhlanga and Mbuti Mabe were back in court with their own heads bandaged. Their accomplice Julius Gxowa, who did not try to escape, avoided getting his head busted up. But all three faced charges of murdering the South African reggae star Lucky Dube during a botched carjacking last October 16, 2007. (more…)