Vuyisile Mini was a protest songwriter during apartheid, and
a member of the African National Congress. Due to his joining of the activist
group in 1951, he was in and out of jail until his execution in 1964. He only
lived to the age of 44.
Music is a very powerful thing and can band people together
or give them strength. A good song can make you want to kick some butt. Or
peacefully deal with things, however things need to be done. A lot of wars and
movements and basically everything is built upon music. Music can move a person
personally and you can relate to it on a level. Many different people can
relate to one song and all have a different reason for liking it and that’s
pretty amazing. I looked around for some music by Mini, but sadly couldn’t find
anything on YouTube.
However, I did find a woman by the name of Miriam Makeba,
who was also a Grammy award-winning singer, and a civil rights activist against
apartheid. She was the first African to popularize African music around the
world. She’s most well known for her song, “Pata Pata” which was originally recorded
in 1957, and released in the U.S.
in 1967. It’s the name of a dance that is done in Johannesburg is pretty much all I can gather
from this song and I’m cool with that. The song is really catchy and upbeat,
and while only parts of it are in English, I find it to be very relaxing to
listen to and would suggest others to listen to it.
Miriam Makeba is nicknamed Mama Africa and she is a lovely
woman and I wish I could understand the words she is speaking because wow she
can sing. Makeba lived till she was about 76, she had a heart attack after one
of her concerts in Italy .
I know this is supposed to be about Vuyisile Mini, but the
internet gave me a sign that I should look at Miriam Mikeba instead. She is a
strong woman and she has a super cool story! The government took away her passport
in 1960 and her citizenship and right to return in 1963. She wasn’t able to
return till 1990. This is a woman that was able to make a difference and bring
some attention to things. And you know, woman are really important to things in
history but are often overlooked or their accomplishments are covered up or
simply just don’t get as much attention.
"The Sounds of
Resistance: The Role of Music in South Africa
"Vuyisile Mini
Biography." Vuyisile Mini Biography.
N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Dec. 2013.
"Official Miriam Makeba
Website." Official Miriam Makeba Website. ZM
Mikeba Trust, 2013. Web. 19 Dec. 2013.
Julia V. A1
I never really thought about the power of music to get people to do things. Music can stir emotions, so it makes sense that it cwn be used to get people to believe in a cause. Mini was smart to use songs to lead protests which must have become very violent TX, the music would get them to keep protrstimg even in the fsce of violence. While music is used for entertainment thr true value is in its ability to display and stir emotion.
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