Image Text:

CELEBRATION: Nelson Mandela danced as British singer Joan Armatrading serenaded him with her song The Messenger, during the South African icon’s visit to London in 2000

HE WAS one of the world’s most revered political icons, but Nelson Mandela’s reach stemmed far wider than the world of politics.

As the South African activist languished in prison, jailed for daring to fight against black oppression in his homeland, a number of artists added their voices to the struggle with a host of protest songs.

Whether they were calling for the release of the African National Congress (ANC) member or rallying against apartheid, a number of entertainers made songs in acknowledgement of the South African struggle, which, by the ‘80s, had garnered attention worldwide.

Here, we list 10 hits that marked the plight of Mandela and black South Africans in the apartheid era.

................................................................

The Messenger by Joan Armatrading

Written in celebration of Mandela, British singer Joan Armatrading performed the hit for the South African icon when he visited the London School of Economics in 2000 to deliver a speech on the role of Africa in the world (pictured, left).

Mandela danced as Armatrading, along with The Kingdom Choir, performed the song, which features the lyrics: “You are admired for your enviable strength/ The forgiving heart you showed to the world/ You faced the demons of oppression with grace/ freed a nation through unparalleled love.”

................................................................

Free Nelson Mandela by The Special AKA

Written by Jerry Dammers and performed by his Coventry-based band The Special A.K.A, Free Nelson Mandela, released in 1984, is perhaps the most famous protest song calling for the release of the South African hero. Despite the song’s serious subject matter, it was upbeat and celebratory and reached number nine on the UK charts.

................................................................

Prophets of Rage by Public Enemy

With the opening lyrics, “I got a right to be hostile/ my people been persecuted,” the hit, taken from the 1988 album It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, saw the famed US hip-hop group raging against poverty, hatred, miseducation – and the imprisonment of Mandela. Referencing then British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who famously opposed sanctions against the apartheid government, and, in 1987, described the African National Congress as a “terrorist organisation,” the hit saw the group rhyme: “Mandela, cell dweller/ Thatcher, you can tell her/ clear the way for the prophets of rage.”

................................................................

House of Exile by Lucky Dube

The late South African reggae star reflected on Mandela’s imprisonment in this popular song, singing: “In the still of the night, you and I dream/ Dreaming of Romeo & Juliet/ All he dreams about is the freedom of the nation/ When every man will be equal in the eyes of the law.”

................................................................

Mandela Bring Him Back Home by Hugh Masekela

Well-known for making music that reflected the agony and conflict South Africa faced during the 1950s and ‘60s, the famed South African singer and trumpeter had a hit in 1987 with Mandela Bring Him Back Home. The upbeat song, complete with the lyrics “Bring back nelson Mandela/bring him back home to Soweto/ I want to see him walking down the streets of South Africa,” became an anthem for the movement to free Mandela.

................................................................

Gimme Hope Jo’anna by Eddy Grant

The famous anti-apartheid hit was banned by the South African government when it was released in 1988, but was widely played throughout the country nonetheless. With “Jo’anna” referring to both the city of Johannesburg and the South African government, the upbeat song featured the lyrics: “She’s got a system they call apartheid/ It keeps a brother in a subjection/ But maybe pressure will make Jo’anna see/ How everybody coulda live as one.”

................................................................

A Letter to Mandela by Sugar Minott

The late Jamaican star urged the jailed South African icon: “Keep the faith Mr Mandela/ For you’re a jolly good fella” in this well-known protest song. Calling for the freedom of Mandela and all South Africans suffering in the apartheid era, Minott sang: “Yes Mr Mandela/ You know that we wish of you well/ Your freedom is a must/ only time will tell.”

................................................................

Nelson Mandela by Youssou N’Dour

In 1985, the Senegalese singer and percussionist organised a concert for the release of Mandela. The following year, the celebrated artist released the album Nelson Mandela, featuring a track of the same name, which celebrated South Africa’s greatest son.

................................................................

Freedom Now by Tracy Chapman

Taken from her 1989 album Crossroads, Freedom Now was dedicated to the then-imprisoned Mandela. The song saw the US singer and guitarist pay homage to Mandela, singing: “They throwed him in jail and they kept him there/ Hoping his memory’d die/ That the people forget how he once led/ Fought for justice in their lives.”

................................................................

Welcome Home Mr Mandela by Carlene Davis

Fusing reggae with a choral, South African-inspired chorus, the feel good song was released after Mandela was freed from prison in 1990 and saw the Jamaican songstress singing: “27 years or more, locked in captivity/ wisdom and hope for the poor, joy for you and me/ apartheid has no place in society/ black and white for equal opportunity.”