The passing of Mr. Ray Phiri founder and member of the Stimela music group, is a loss to South Africa's great musical assets. Music in South Africa, during the Apartheid struggle was part of our African collective consciousness to unify our people. Stimela and Ray Phiri were the vehicle of our political self-expression and a pillar of strength to stand our political ground.
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| Ray Phiri Songs |
Music all over the world is known to be a force that unifies and brings people together. As if to keep hope alive and shower our aspirations and dreams with a renewed sense of purpose.
Ray Phiri As a Symbol of Unity & Sweet Revolution
It was during his time that our nation was, inspired to push on for survival, and dedication to the ultimate goal - Freedom. To move our efforts further in reaching our political ambition for our liberty. To keep fighting the scourge of oppression, poverty and discrimination aggressively.
This became a new era of learning to hustle and juggle. To fight against every other odds. South Africa was sanctioned to do business with the rest of the world. Unfortunately, this had a negative impact to the economy and job creation prospects at that time. But, who knew today 25th Jan, 2022 the country will be fighting a new nightmare and monster called "State Capture" and corruption, by the same people we tried to free in Robben Island?
This reminds me of another great South African musician and legend; Sipho Hotstix Mabuse. Sipho Hotstix Mabuse was the founder of Harari music group. This group was originally known as the Beaters. Sipho Mabuse's Harari bred what I call composers of South African Songs.
We are all touched and affected by music in reference to our favorite icons – the world over.
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| Latest South African Songs |
But, when you lose a musical genius and a leader like Ray Phiri, it’s like losing one of your close family relative. We are bound spiritually by music and the bonds we form with these musicians. As fans, we unravel our humanity when one of us is unsettled or is separated from us. Physically the pain is unbearable, spiritually speaking.
This tribute cannot do justice to all of our deserving local South African musicians who have passed on and those still alive today. However, my heart goes deep, and back to the early days of our political "rude awakening" when our nation, was shocked to it's core. The June 16, 1976 when Soweto riots broke lose, all spells and curses of these chains of oppression and Apartheid were broken free from its shackles.
Music became our source of comfort and therapy against aggravation. It was our sources of inspiration to set higher ideals, in becoming a free people again. Sadly this freedom took a nasty turn after 2009 until today and was hijacked by corrupt, mean and selfish demonic politicians and rogues.
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| New South African Songs |
We Must Continue Our Music Legacies To Build A New Nation
My trip down this memory-lane is reminiscing the good old days and how history can turn around to play our feelings against our intellect and emotions. One minute we celebrate the life of a hero Ray Phiri and the next minute we moan the extraordinary life of a Nobel prize winner, Archbishop Desmond Tutu. What a paradoxical and unfair state of national enigma?
South Africa is Worse Than Apartheid Since ANC Came to Power (I speak from authority and experience, because I was underground during the struggle)
It is unimaginably difficult to know whether our lives are just another episode of time attempting to redefine our unity of purpose in fighting for liberation against self-indulgence, to entertain the status quo of corrupt ANC leaders? Or, we simply survive and face adversity because someone has their music turned on?
I honestly have no idea what South Africa would have been without these creative noble individuals. Ray Phiri and Archbishop Desmond Tutu are the epitome of our aspirations and dreams to experience what Dr. Martin Kings' true vision of this type of freedom should be about.
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| wild dogs are screwing our opportunities |
Our Musicians Are Still Starving
Unfortunately, rewards to earn these fruits of freedom and liberty was never enjoyed by us who fought underground to see its merits or benefits even right now, as I speak. Why! Because, some greedy wolf came along to captured it, screwed it, faked it, raped it, blew it, and took it all away from genuine South African Citizens, contributors and life savers who deserved better.
Only to give it over to a bunch of underserving, unqualified, "outside strangers", and wild dogs, hogs, and rattle snakes called Guptas. 😭Ray Phiri's may your soul rest in peace. My plea to you to; speak to the Gods of Music about our problem to send us a rescue team during COVID-19 dilemma - will be highly appreciated, brother? 🙏 Enkosi!
"Know henceforth that your fellow African Musicians in South Africa have not received their 2020 R300 million COVID-19 Special Social Grants and are starving to death. But the country is still free and democracy is breathing and alive but, untouched by the Constitution relative to the problems our country is facing today". Why is the department of Arts & Culture unable to respond and account for this money?😱
By Isaac Khonjelwayo
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