It is with immense sadness that we have learnt of the passing of one of South Africa’s most talented and creative musicians, Busi Mhlongo. Through embracing traditional music and promoting these unique rhythms and distinctive sounds, Busi Mhlongo gave a new voice to South African music. In this way she helped extend possibilities within the national cultural landscape and contributed to the development of world music.
Her life’s work and the songs that she has bequeathed us bear testimony to her artistic integrity and demonstrate her authentic vision. Her versatility enabled her to combine rhythm and blues, maskandi and jazz and yet remain rooted to the rural sounds of KwaZulu-Natal. The broad appeal of her work is also because she succeeded in modernising traditional sounds, fusing urban and rural, and thus giving new meaning to people’s experience through her art.
At a time when women musicians were not accorded the recognition that they ought to have received, Busi Mhlongo was truly a trailblazer who defied a male dominated society and asserted a woman’s voice with great power. She joins the great musical heroes who have left our midst. We shall remember her for her passion and dedication to her art. We also recognise her strength of character and courage and her will to persevere, despite her long battle against breast cancer.
Her music will endure and continue to inspire us and generations to come.
As she broke new ground through sharing her talents and skills with the world, indeed the youth of today should also dedicate their lives to building a new country and a people’s culture in her honour.
My heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and to all those who loved her and cherished her.
Media enquiries:
Mack Lewele
Cell: 082 450 5076
Lisa Combrinck
Cell: 082 821 4886
Issued by: Department of Arts and Culture
16 June 2010
