Mandela Son of South Afica

The Mandela soundtrack evokes over seven decades in the life of Nelson Mandela and the rich history of South Africa.

This is the music of the struggle against apartheid, music that was integral to the fight for freedom. The soundtrack ranges from traditional African folk rhythms such as Wajikeleza, a Xhosa melody, and Mmalo-We, a song about the beauty of South African women, to the jazz and pop of the 1950s.

In the Queue by the cast of "King Kong," an inter-nationally successful stage musical in the late 1950s which featured some of South Africa's finest musical talent who are also highlighted on the soundtrack: Lalelani by The Skylarks, featuring Miriam Makeba and Ndenzeni Na? by The Father Huddleston Band featuring the young Masekela and Jonas Gwangwa, the future director of Amandla, the ANC cultural division. Vuka Vuka, was recorded in 1958 by the Manhattan Brothers, a favorite of Nelson Mandela's.

They took advantage of a world tour to go into exile. Modeled on the Inkspots and Milis Brothers, the group began by Africanizing American hits, but eventually recorded their own compositions. The soundtrack naturally features powerful songs of protest including Motherland Cry

No More, writen for the presidential campaign in 1993 to encourage voter awareness, and Toyi Toyi Mix, songs of freedom and protest performed by the ANC Choir. Johnny Clegg and Savuka released Asimbonanga (Mandela), a song about Mandela, at a time when it was forbidden to mention his name.

Clegg was one of the first white musicians to break the law which forbade black and white musicians from working together. Other popular songs on the sound-track include Nelson Mandela by the

Specials AKA, an anti-apartheid anthem that rallied activists around the world, and Black President, performed by reigning South African pop diva Brenda Fassie.

The haunting voice of Vusi Mahlasela pierces the loneliness of Mandela's prison cell on When You Come Back. The original score composed for the film draws on the African tradition of choral story-telling. Many of the lyrics are sung in Xhosa, Mandela's native tongue.

Father Of Our Nation was written by Cedric Samson especially for the film and is performed by Hugh Masekela and Jennifer Jones.

The music featured in the film sets the mood for the narrative unfolding visually on screen. It is a poignant admonition of the great loss of joy and talent suffered by South Africa as a result of the struggle. It is in celebration of the new South Africa that they are reunited here.