Can we still remember the song, The People’s President rendered in the 1990s by Brenda Fassie of South Africa? Though Branda has died many years ago, her never-dying lyrics in the people’s president continues to keep her memory alive in our hearts. Below are the lyrics.
The year 1963
The people’s president
Was taken away by security men
All dressed in a uniform
The brutality, brutality
Oh no, my, my black president
Him and his comrades
Were sentenced to isolation
For many painful years
For many painful years
Many painful years
Of hard labor
They broke rocks
But the spirit was never broken
Never broken
Oh no, my, my black president
Hmm maa, hmm maa, hmm ma mama
Hmm maa, hmm maa, hmm ma mama
Hmm maa, hmm maa, hmm ma Madiba
Hmm maa, hmm maa, hmm ma Madiba
Ahh uyem-yem
They broke rocks
But the spirit was never broken
Never broken
Oh my black president
Let us rejoice for our president
Let us sing for our president
Let us pray for our president
Let us sing, let us dance
For Madiba, Madiba’s freedom
Now in 1990
The people’s president
Came out from jail
Raised up his hand and said
“Viva, viva, my people”
He walked the long road
Back, back to freedom
Back to freedom
Freedom for my black president
Let us rejoice for our president
Let us sing for our president
Let us pray for our president
Let us sing, let us dance
For Madiba, Madiba’s freedom
We thank You Lord,
For listening to our prayers
Oh, my president
I will die for my president
I will sing for my president
I will stand and say
Viva, viva, viva, viva, viva, viva my president
Brenda was born in Cape Town, South Africa in 1964, where she was raised by her mother after her father passed away when she was two. At a tender age, she started earning money by singing to tourists, while her mother, a pianist, played alongside. Brenda climbed her way to the top, beginning as the lead singer in a group called “Brenda and The Big Dudes”, and eventually branching off as a solo artist.
Brenda became well known for her “outrageousness” on stage and was sometimes referred to as the “Black Madonna”. Some of her greatest hits include “Vuli Ndlela”, “Black President”, “Nomakanjani?”, “I’m sorry Mama” and more. Most of her albums went on to become multi-platinum sellers in South Africa.
She died in 2004 at the age of 39 after losing consciousness at a hospital in South Africa.
Despite all the controversies surrounding her personal life, Brenda was a trailblazer in the African music industry. She was a musical genius who constantly reinvented herself and always gave fans around the world something special to look forward to. More importantly, she was a revolutionary who lent her voice to important social issues in her country and went on to inspire many people. Her impact on African music is undeniable and her work will continue to impact generations for years to come.
