The song was commissioned by the ANC for the partys 1994 election campaigns.More than 25 years since its abolishment, its repercussions still affect black people deeply in South Africa.During the height of the oppressive regime, alongside ordinary citizens and prominent freedom fighters, musicians played a huge role in being whistleblowers and opponents of the oppressive white government.Some musicians, such as Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba, among others, were exiled for years for criticizing the government.
Almost any song that dared criticize the government was banned in South Africa. It wasnt just South African musiciansartists from around the continent and the world all stood up in solidarity and release anti-Apartheid songs. Below, in no particular order, we list such songs which criticized the government, told the stories of black peoples struggles under apartheid, from artists such as Stevie Wonder, Miriam Makeba, Brenda Fassie, Johnny Clegg, among others. Stevie Wonder Its Wrong (Apartheid) Over a funky percussion-blazing instrumental, Stevie Wonder called out the Apartheid government in his 1985 song, Its Wrong (Apartheid). The artist was straight to the point: Apartheid was wrong, and the people who were responsible knew it deep down. Sample lyrics The wretchedness of Satans wrath, Will come to seize you at last Because even he frowns upon the deeds you are doing And you know deep in your heart Youve no covenant with God Because he would never countenance people abusing 2. Brenda Fassie Black President On one of the most popular struggle songs, Brenda Fassie sang with an effective vulnerability that portrayed how a lot of South Africans were feeling at the time. The song spoke of Nelson Mandelas arrest, and somehow predicted his eventual release, which would take place about a year later after the songs release. Sample lyrics: The year 1963 The peoples president Was taken away by security men All dressed in a uniform The brutality, brutality Oh no, my, my black president 3. Johnny Clegg and Savuka Asimbonanga Johnny Clegg used his privilege as a white man favored by the system to help dismantle it. The song also makes reference of fallen struggle heroes Steve Biko, Victoria Mxenge and Neil Aggett. Prophets of da City Never Again One of the first South African hip-hop acts, POC used their music to fight for justice under Apartheid. As a result, most of their songs were banned on national radio and TV. They got to perform their song Never Again at Nelson Mandelas inauguration as the first black and democratically elected president of South Africa. Who can forget the songs iconic opening lines, Excellent Finally a black president Monumental. Hugh Masekela Bring Him Back Home. On Bring Him Back Home, the artist made a demand to the Apartheid government to set Nelson Mandela free and bring him back to Soweto. He also called for Africa to get back to the hands of her rightful owners. Sample lyrics: Bring Back Nelson Mandela Bring him Back all to Soweto. I wont to see him walking down the street with Winnie Mandela. Miriam Makeba Ndodemnyama (Beware Verwoerd). Ndodemnyama (Beware Verwoed) was a warning to the architect of Apartheid Hedrick Verwoerd that a black man was on his way to rule the country that white people had colonized. It was sung with the legends effective trademark soul and verve. Youssou NDour Nelson Mandela. The albums name and its title-track were dedicated to the South African struggle hero. Sipho Hot Stix Mabuse Nelson Mandela Sipho Hot Stix Mabuses Nelson Mandela featured a clip of Mandela reading his speech from one of his 1964 trials.
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