Jessica Mbangeni's poem for Madiba
All around the country people are paying tribute to Madiba as he marks his 67th birthday. Praise poet, songwriter and singer, Jessica Mbangeni, is doing her bit away from SA…
She’ll be singing the former president’s praises at the Pan African Music Festival in Congo to mark Tata’s 95th birthday today.
It follows her stirring performance earlier this month at Pretoria’s Medi-Clinic where Madiba is being treated.
Mbangeni says: “My performance in Pretoria was a symbolic way of giving him flowers; my poetry being the flowers. These are flowers that will never go dry but will be remembered forever.”
She went on to say: To have had the opportunity to say something to uTata whilst he is still alive has fulfilled me...and having talked to the world about this born leader and son of the soil has been a great honour.”
Mbangeni says her poem hails all the Africans who fought for peace and justice including Govan Mbeki, Oliver Tambo, Robert Sobukwe ,Walter Sisulu, Albertina Sisulu, Adelaide Tambo and Lilian Ngoyi.
Ten percent of the royalties from the song will be donated to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund. She also hopes to contribute an additional 10% in royalties to a school that is committed to content on African leadership.
The Afrika poem will be used as a set-work for grade 8 pupils from next year.