During the apartheid years, many musicians of color produced anti-apartheid music to sympathize with the liberation movement. Musicians like (from left) Hugh Masekela, Letta Mbulu, Caiphus Semenya, Julian Bahula and Jonas Gwangwa, Queeneth Ndaba were all popular musicians at the time of Nelson Mandela’s release.
Trumpeter and composer Hugh Masekela was particularly active in the fight against apartheid and proved that activism and music can go together. He produced the track ‘Mandela (Bring Him Back Home)’ and became good friends with Madiba after his release from prison.
In this image, Mandela laughs in delight with South African musicians who were part of the struggle for freedom and have become legendary figures in South African music.
“Men and women, all over the world, right down the centuries, come and go. Some leave nothing behind. Not even their names.” ~ Nelson Mandela
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Nelson Mandela returned to his home in Soweto after his release from prison in 1990. Nelson grew up in No. 8115 Vilakazi Street and has sinc...
In 1991, Nelson Mandela received an Honorary Doctorate at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg for his commitment to the country ...
Mandela and other activists had an array of supporters that came to the court each time defendants were summoned. Pictured is a young Madiba...