Yvonne Chaka Chaka The Princess of Africa

yvonnechakaBack in 1981, a 12 year old girl; Yvonne Chaka Chaka was revealed as the first black child to appear on national TV in South Africa. Four years later her debut album ‘I’m in love with a DJ’ established the beginning of her long and successful relationship with the Music Industry.

Many remember her for tracks such as ‘Motherland, Umqomboti’ (The African beer) and ‘I’m burning up’; Yvonne’s became an icon of Africa. It was her music that was played when people had stockvel’s, barbecues’, and family gatherings and was what kept the locals in a good mood during those difficult times.

“Those were the days” she recollects. “We were such a close mixed family; your father was my father, my mother was your aunt. Things have changed now; everybody is minding their own business”.

That’s why when I perform in New York there is a song that I will sing and dedicated to …

It wasn’t long before she was taking the whole of Africa by storm with bookings all over the continent. She tells me notably of one incident when it dawned on her just how much people have taken her into their hearts.
“It was when I went to perform in Uganda for the first time. When I got to the airport the promoter said to me ‘Wow! There is like 5000 people out there. As I came out, there was a traditional crew dancing; people had signs saying ‘We Love You Yvonne Chaka Chaka, You’re the Princess of Africa’”.
“For a minute I started crying but after that I [had] to thank God because he knew what my destiny was going to be. I’m so humbled to all my fans all over the world”.

In 1994 Nelson Mandela became the first black president in South Africa, a day Yvonne particularly remembers. “When he came out of jail he made an appointment to see different people and I was one of them!”.
“I was so humbled to know [Nelson Mandela], to have him call me, come to my house more than 2-3 times. And just to know that a great man like him knows me, he can spot me in the crowd. For me he’s the man of the world. That’s why when I’m going to perform on the 18th July in New York there is a song that I dedicated to him “Man of the world” because he is the man of the world.”

He is such a great talent; I am so blessed have a …

Yvonne latest album ’18/28′ was produced by her son Themba aka Chaka Mingz; an unusual step. “I have to put myself in a different environment and I said, Yes, I understand you’re the producer but I have been in the industry for 23 years! I must say he is such a great talent; I’m so blessed to have a child like him”.

A trustee of Tomorrow Trust, (which educate orphans and vulnerable children) the president of Princess of Africa Foundation, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador against Malaria, Ambassador for Nelson Mandela’s 46664 Campaign and having recently played a leading role in a Nigerian film (that is being kept firmly under wraps) it was little wonder that Yvonne was honoured with the Lifetime Achiever Award MTN SAMA this year; a true princess.

Yvonne Chaka Chaka will be performing in Angola, New York and London this summer.

Listen to www.futureradio.co.uk/shows/mzansishow">Yvonne Chaka Chaka’s Interview on The Mzansi Show website

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