African Urban Zulu songstress dies.

World On Press


Ian Jindela



Busi Mhlongo on Wednesday 15 June succumbed to her brave battle with cancer. South Africa woke up with the sad news of passing on of the great Diva and songstress Busi Mhlongo. Busi had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing treatment when died on 15 June 2010. She died at King Shaka Hospital in KwaZulu Natal. In just few days after the death of Nelson Mandela’s 13 year old great granddaughter Zenani Mandela who was in a car accident with Winnie Madikizela Mandela on their way to the FIFA Kick of Concert held in Soweto on the 10 of June.

Busi Mhlongo an icon and a mother to young musicians will be remembered for her endless love of music and powerful voice. Busi Mhlongo, born in October 28, 1947 died June 15 2010, born as Victoria Busisiwe Mhlongo, was originally from Inanda in Natal, South Africa; Busi Mhlongo was a virtuoso singer, dancer and composer whose music defies categorization. Her music seen on her face and dance moves captured all. Drawing on various South African styles such as mbaqanga, maskanda, marabi and traditional Zulu, fused with contemporary elements from jazz, funk, rock, gospel, rap, opera, reggae and West African music she produces a fresh and exciting sound. Her infectious music and singing style have a universal appeal and her lyrics carry powerful and poignant messages. In the 1960s, she adopted the artistic name Vickie, only later she became known by Busi Mhlongo.

The first South African music Benefit concert was held by South African Broadcasting Corporation to celebrate Busi's birthday and raise fund for her hospital bills, President Thabo Mbeki was one of the Honorable guests. On The 21st May 2010 Ngwenyama Holdings a company owned by Swazi Prince Makhosini Dlamini announced A Tribute Concert to Busi Mhlongo at the South African Playhouse on May 30th.
Musicians pour out their condolences, Camagwini the Nubian Afro singer recalls Busi Mhlongo as a warrior and a great singer, she has learnt a lot from her music. Camagwini was amongst artists who were invited by Busi Mhlongo last month to pay tribute in a song though Busi Mhlongo could not make it to the organised tribute concert, her spirit lives on.

The President of the Republic of South Africa Jacob Zuma sends his condolences and described Busi as a veteran for struggle. “Her love for music kept the flames of hope alive during our country’s struggle for democracy. Her music encouraged and influenced a range of contemporary South African artists. She inspired the nation and let the world know of South Africa’s quest for freedom. She ensured her compositions defied categorisation and emphasised the universality of the human race “Added Jacob Zuma.
She will be remembered with her hit songs such as Babom’ncane, Ntingi Ntingi,Hamba Phepha lam,Intoni na and many. Her spirit lives on through the sound of the voice that she has left us.

World On Press




World cup opens with Sport for Peace.
Ian Jindela

The UN (United Nations) on June 8 hosted Sport for Peace Gala night prior to World Cup kick off-attended by President Jacob Zuma of the Republic of South Africa; The Secretary General of the UN Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation-Achmat Dangor; The President of Russia; President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company Mr. Steve S. Yang; Her Excellency-Honorary Guest speaker Graca Machel and other 400 international guests. The event was held at the historical women’s prison-Constitutional Hill in city of Gold.

The World Cup kicked off and the UN highlighted the important of sport promoting peace and development on African continent. The UN embraces Africa of hosting the biggest tournament and kicked of with the Sport for Peace project in Africa for Africans. Sport for Peace will ensure quality and clean environment, reducing hunger and diseases through different projects. According to the UN Secretary General Mr. Ban World Cup will push for the Millennium development goals. The millennium development goals were adopted by 189 nations at the UN Millennium Summit. Leaders from rich and poor countries committed themselves to a set of eight time-bound targets to end extreme poverty by 2015. South Africa adopted these goals and form blue print to all efforts to meet the needs of Africa’s poorest. Mr. Ben’s remarks at the Gala night “If we work together we can score a victory over poverty. We can defeat ignorance, discrimination and want. We can ensure every man and woman, every boy and girl has an opportunity on the playing field of life”

The President of the Republic of South Africa, Jacob Zuma welcomed the guests and promised a successful World Cup. His Key message was on education and introduced 1 Goal education projects. 1 Goal Education for all is an initiative linked to the FIFA World Cup 2010 to ensure that very child has the opportunity of an education. Already 8 million people have joined and signing up to the campaign. The aim is to use the power of education to change life, 1 Goal is co charred by Queen Rania of Jordan, FIFA President Sepp Blatter and Emeritus Archbishop Desmond Tutu. President Zuma believes education is the only means out of poverty. It is the only way to break perpetual, vicious cycle of poverty which condemns the children of the poor to re-live their lives of their parents.

In his video speech the former President Nelson Mandela pointed out education as the great engine of personal development. “Educating all of our children must be our main priority. Building a better South Africa the continued interest of education on our children must be at heart. No child should be denied education” stated former President Nelson Rholihlahla Mandela. He will be celebrating his birthday which marks Mandela International day on July 18.

The Honorary guest Graca Machel spoke on behalf of International advocacy for women’s and children’s right. She focused mostly on education in Africa, especially gender education. Most countries in Africa deprived young girls of their right to education. Meanwhile drop outs in schools on African continent has decreased. 31 percent out of 48 percent schools improved since 2002 and 2007. She then provided long term education and universal assets as a solution to better education in Africa. During International education summit in 2002 a promise was made to each country attended to present its education plan up to date the promise never delivered by the summit. It will be a shame if this 2010 World Cup will not deliver its promises concluded Mrs. Graca Machel.

END OF ARTICLE

Africa commemorates Miriam Makeba-Pata Pata.

World On Press
Ian Jindela

Her spirit lives on. The long awaited tribute concert for the late Mama Africa—Miriam Makeba was held in Johannesburg on the May 22, Mary Firtzgerald Square -Newtown. Spectators came from Germany to witness and celebrate the spirit of Mama Africa. The tribute concert was to honor the first African cultural activist to address the United Nations General Assembly, ‘Mama Africa’ Miriam Zenzile Makeba. Born in Johannesburg 1932 and died of the heart attack in 2008 during her tour in Italy. Makeba's life has consistently been marked by struggle. As the daughter of a sangoma, a mystical traditional healer of the Xhosa tribe, she spent six months of her birth year in jail with her mother. Gifted with a dynamic vocal tone, Makeba recorded her debut single, "Lakutshona Llange," as a member of the Manhattan Brothers in 1953. Makeba was embraced by the African American community. "Pata Pata," Makeba's signature tune, was written by Dorothy Masuka and recorded in South Africa in 1956 before eventually becoming a major hit in the U.S. in 1967. She then moved to be the best selling African ambassador. She has created the proudly South African mark on the world continent. Makeba's successes as a vocalist were also balanced by her outspoken views about apartheid. Makeba published her autobiography, -Miriam: My Story, in English in 1988 and subsequently had it translated and published in German, French, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, and Japanese. Following Nelson Mandela's release from prison, Makeba returned to South Africa in December 1990. She performed her first concert in her homeland in 30 years in April 1991. She appeared in South African award-winning musical Sarafina in 1992 in the role of Sarafina's mother. Her spirit lives on for generations to come.

The concert started in the morning until late night. The click song history maker was celebrated on stage and she brought some of the finest talents Africa has to offer, the likes of Dorothy Masuku, Malaika, Siphokazi, Ntando, Nhlanhla Nciza, Rebbeca Malope, Soul brothers. Our own Grammy Award winners-Ladysmith Black Mambazo each echoed in song. Lucky Dube’s Band reminded us of the late Lucky Dube they left the crowd asking for more. Morris Roda the organizer is pleased to have finally honored Mama Africa. This is what South African should do regular honor and respect those who were before us. The music in our country is rich amongst other stage acts the legendary Tsepo Tsola captivated the crowd with his old tunes. It was time for Miriam Makeba’s band alongside her daughter. The band paid homage simply in song singing along the crowd could not stop jumping for more.

South Africa’s own Afro Neo Soul Princess, Camagwi kept the crowd dancing in a cold afternoon with her hit song Imvumi. During the set she played live song Welela in honor of Mama Africa as the young and old audience dance she then joined them off stage showcasing the spirit of Ubuntu. It was a big joy of pata pata, young and old thousands of spectators dancing and smiling together to remember Mama Africa. Only to bring joy, love, culture unity and humanity in Africa through songs and renditions by combined artists. Meanwhile the diva of Urban Zulu music Busi Mhlongo was billed to perform she could not make it as she is fighting for her life, diagnosed few year’s back with cancer.