Mpumi, the Mhlongo and Mabusa families,
Your Royal Highness Prince Makhosini "Fanas" Dlamini (H.R.H.),
Artists and technicians
Distinguished guests
Compatriots
It is with immense sadness that we learnt of the passing away of one of South Africa’s most talented and creative musicians, Busi Mhlongo. She gave a new voice to South African music, especially maskandi, which is male dominated. She was a trailblazer and was the first woman to record maskandi music.
Busi will be remembered for her unique contribution and development of South African music. She is a major loss for not only South Africans but the world. She was a top performer and performed with international musicians like Hugh Masekela, Dorothy Masuka, Salif Keita, Manu Dibango and many others.
She was one of the brave cadres who used her music as a weapon against apartheid during the years of struggle, her song "umentyisi" is a testament to this. She is well loved by many South Africans at home and abroad.
Busi embraced traditional music but developed a distinctive style with her voice, music and looks which opened doors in the rest of the world including Europe and Canada. She was lauded when she sang with the first World-Music band, Osi-bisa, Madala Kunene and Steve Dyer. She recorded with the likes of Dudu Pukwana, Julian Bahula and Lucky Ranku when she was in London.
Her versatility enabled her to combine rhythm and blues, Maskandi and jazz and yet remain rooted to the rural sounds of KwaZulu-Natal. Her music was highly spiritual and soulful and therefore had a universal attraction. The broad appeal of her work is because she succeeded in modernising traditional sounds, fusing urban and rural and thus giving new meaning to people’s experience through her art.
She joins the great musical heroes who have left our midst. We shall remember her for her passion and dedication, her courage and her will to persevere, despite her long battle against breast cancer. Busi was deeply appreciated by her peers as they rallied around and performed benefit concerts for her.
I have no doubt that her music shall endure and continue to inspire us and the many generations to come. She will live on in her music. She had passed on two months after the loss of another great Maskandi musician, Bhekumzi Luthuli. My heartfelt condolences to her family and friends and to all those who loved her and cherished her.
Hamba Kahle umkhonto!
Source: Department of Arts and Culture
