Let the music take you there…

If there is one thing that all my friends and acquaintances would tell you, I love music! Maybe it’s because I also come from a musically talented family. My little brother is a guitarist, stepping on the footsteps of my uncle who was a guitar player and  a maskadi musician. All my current and post colleagues would tell you about me and my infamous earphones.

This post is a tribute to two songbirds who've flown away to their resting place - Cesaria Evora and Busi Mhlongo.

 “…in all those years when I sang in bars and in front of strangers I sometimes had an idea I might someday be successful outside my country. The thought never stayed with me for very long, but here I am” – Cesaria Evora [African Music Encyclopedia]

Born in Mindelo on the Cape Verde island mamCesaria’s story must resonate with many African children living in orphanages who possess the same passion for music but have neither means nor resources to further their desired path. The only difference is that it seems against all odds mamCesaria chose to look beyond her challenges and heeded a friend’s persuasion at the age of 16, she sang on Portuguese cruise ships stopping at Mindelo and at a local radio station. In 1997 she won 3 Kora awards and in 2004 she won a Grammy, which is a tremendous achievement for any musician.

A friend of mine who is so privileged to travel Africa regularly, told me of his experience earlier this year of Cape Verde, but more than anything what stood out for me was the economic developments that are taking place in Cape Verde...he showed me pictures of the widening of the harbour and I longed to see myself walk on the rugged rich soil of the Sao Vicente island.  

When I listen to her music the notes take me to an exotic island where there is no day or night. I imagine elderly people reminiscing and sharing folk tales while young beautiful women with long curly black hair dance next to the sea waters while fishermen look on and drop their nets succumbing to their desires. –the voice of ‘The Barefoot Diva’ who sang barefooted in support of the disadvantaged women and children in her country leaves me in absolute admiration.

DESCANGE EM PAZ – REST IN PEACE

Vuka Sizwe [nation arise] she said. mamBusi Mhlongo deserves to share the books, walls, monuments and all earthly mounted pedestals that presidents and statesmen relish. Music is more powerful than a political manifesto, it's real and a branch to any revolution.

A very good friend of mine who for many years has been playing mamBusi’s music had this to say about her –“Busi has been a pillar of cultural heritage. She has managed to preserve African customs and traditions through the medium of music. Her music continues to remind us of what it actually means to take pride in ethnicity and pay homage to our inner true selves. She reminds us of what it means to be an African, humbled in spirit, fearless in determination and to be centred in being a communal person.”

In my world her music made still emotions in my soul move me – I suddenly had a burning desire to do, see, experience and give.  When I reflect on her life I see endless opportunities for Africans to be…

Her stage name was Vickie (Victoria Busisiwe Mhlongo) and she sang in English as it was the only way to get gigs in South Africa in the 60’s and 70’s. When she lived in Portugal with the band, Conjunto Juan Paulo (via Mozambique & Angola) they asked her to sing in her language {as stated by music.org.za} and from there she sealed us with the love of her being.

ULALE KAHLE – REST IN PEACE

Let the music take you there... appreciate who you are, you are an African child, God took his time creating you.

"It would be good for us Africans to accept ourselves as we are and recapture some of the positive aspects of our culture." Wangari Maathai - may her soul rest in peace