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Naledi Ya Tsela
Released Sep 15, 2022
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Story
Quick Facts
Born
1965
1965
From
South Africa
South Africa
Journey
Vusi Sidney Mahlasela Ka Zwane, with the moniker Vusi Mahlasela, aka ‘The Voice,’ is a South African singer-songwriter, poet, and activist whose voice has long carried the spirit of his nation. Raised in Mamelodi by his grandmother after losing his mother young, Vusi found his earliest inspiration in her bustling shebeen, where music and stories never slept.
A self-taught guitarist who once strung fishing line across tin cans, he began writing songs in his teens, performing at rallies and gatherings during apartheid’s darkest days. His debut album, "When You Come Back" (1992), became an anthem of hope for exiled South Africans and earned him a place at Nelson Mandela’s 1994 inauguration.
Over the decades, Vusi has released a string of acclaimed albums, including "Wisdom of Forgiveness" (1994), "Silang Mabele" (1997), "Miyela Afrika" (2000), "Guiding Star" (2007), and "Say Africa" (2010). His songs draw from African folk roots and poetry, weaving themes of resilience, healing, and freedom with his warm, unmistakable voice.
He has performed alongside global greats such as Sting, Paul Simon, Josh Groban, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and his track “When You Come Back” became ITV’s theme for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Honors include multiple South African Music Awards (including a Lifetime Achievement Award), the National Order of Ikhamanga, and honorary doctorates from Rhodes University and the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Beyond the stage, Vusi remains an unwavering activist, using music and poetry to confront social injustice, celebrate reconciliation, and support causes like Mandela’s 46664 HIV/AIDS campaign. Still rooted in Mamelodi, he continues to sing for South Africa’s journey toward hope and humanity.
