Zim musician releases Mandela Day song

Nelson Mandela Day honours the life of the late anti-apartheid revolutionary and politician. It was officially declared by the UN in November 2009 and is celebrated each year on Mandela’s birthday.

According to local media, Don Dada was given permission by the Nelson Mandela Foundation to compose a song from the late South African icon’s autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom.

Born Menelik Nesta Gibbons, Don Dada told a Zimbabwean local media outlet that ‘Viva Mandela’ is different from previous songs composed in honour of the late statesman. "Most of the Mandela songs are sad and I wanted to make mine more upbeat. I wanted to change the way we think about the man who brought freedom to South Africans,” he said.

Previous Mandela songs include ‘Free Nelson Mandela’ by UK band The Specials, ‘Mandela (Bring Him Back Home)’ by Hugh Masekela, ‘Asimbonanga’ by Johnny Clegg and ‘When You Come Back’ by Vusi Mahlasela, among countless others.

The song is a follow-up to Don Dada’s album Avant Garde, which was released early this year. It was produced by SuperProducerRapz and recorded at the artist’s private studio.