Johnny Clegg’s Tribute to Madiba – Asimbonanga
To mark the first anniversary of the passing of Nelson Mandela, Johnny Clegg’s 1987 struggle song, “Asimbonanga”, takes on a new meaning. Singer Johnny Clegg has released a beautiful tribute videoto Nelson Mandela which also carries a vital message to South Africans…to continue Madiba’s legacy and do what still needs to be done. The Zulu word […]
To mark the first anniversary of the passing of Nelson Mandela, Johnny Clegg’s 1987 struggle song, “Asimbonanga”, takes on a new meaning. Singer Johnny Clegg has released a beautiful tribute videoto Nelson Mandela which also carries a vital message to South Africans…to continue Madiba’s legacy and do what still needs to be done.
The Zulu word “Asimbonanga” means “We have not seen him”, and the song was written to reflect on the fact that Madiba was not visible to South Africans for almost three decades due to the prohibition of the publication of images or depictions of him during his imprisonment.
Today, the phrase conveys a different message – that the great work the former South African President started in binding together a new nation has not yet been completed. It is a call to the new South African generation to find inspiration in Madiba’s life and work to continue his legacy.
In this new video Johnny Clegg teaches the song to the future generation and calls upon them to make Madiba’s dream for a thriving, united and democratic South Africa visible and real.
This video features the winners of the 2014 MySchool Choir competition from Riebeek College Girls’ High in Uitenhage, South Africa.