Vusi Mahlasela

Vusi Mahlasela is a musician who as a child grew up in the Mamelodi township located near Pretoria. While young he never noticed the unfair effects of apartheid in his everyday life. While  growing up South African music was banned from the radio; a effect of the cultural boycotting brought upon by the apartheid. Eventually he and some friends from the neighborhood formed their own small band.  The first guitar he ever owned was made by himself with fishing line and a cooking oil can.

            The soweto uprising brought his intention to how much of a problem the segregation was.  As Vusi became more educated about apartheid and its atrocities , he began to incorporate his beliefs into his music. The main topics that his songs emphasised on justice, freedom, revolution of love, peace and life. Vusi then became more involved with groups such as “The Ancestors of Africa” (a poetry group) and “The South African Writers” this influenced him in many ways. A member of the group known as Nadine Gordimer was one of his friends which payed for his first guitar lessons. As the subject of political activism began to appear in his music he was sent to solitary confinement. With all the trauma from the harassment of policemen, with many of his friends fleeing the country, and the place that he was in his music allowed to relieve himself and other people with the same struggles of apartheid.

            Things started looking up as Apartheid was banished as Vusi recorded his first album with “Shifty Records/ BMG Records”. This album included songs that he had written through his entire life. “When you come back” was one of his most popular songs, everyone played it, blacks and whites at all different occasions. What makes this song so famous is the fact that Vusi Mahlasela was asked to perform at  Nelson Mandela's Presidential Inauguration. After this Vusi has globally traveled and shared his experience and music. After that his fame expanded rapidly he has been in two TED episodes, LA times stated about him “rare and memorizing musical mind..”. He again played for Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday celebration. He was involved in the world cup of South Africa taking place at Orlando Stadium in Soweto.

I think Vusi Mahlasela really inspired people with his music; this can be proved by the fact that as soon he sang at Nelson Mandela's Presidential Inauguration his music became very popular and famous all around the world overcoming any racial barrier. I find it interesting that someone that was so little known in his home country could become recognized just from the message in his music. Anyone has the ability to make a difference in this world if they follow the convictions  of their heart. I wouldn't say that Vusi thought as a young man that he were to ever have the ability and talent to affect the future of his people. His music not only helped him with struggles he was facing but helped others see they could undertake impossible odds.

            

Michelle H.

Sources:

http://vusimahlasela.com/bio/