The Voice

                            

Dorothy Musaka 

"You can't stop me from singing, that's my life"

Soul and jazz have always been integral to the African struggle. Singing gave many Africans a voice and a sense of comfort. Dorothy Musaka had a voice like that.
On September 3, 1935, Dorothy Musaka was born in Zimbabwe to a South African mother and a Zambian father. When she joined the school choir, her skill was noticed, and at the age of twelve, she relocated to South Africa to live with her aunt. She had recorded more than thirty songs by the time she was a teenager, some of which would go on to become timeless hits. Her passion was singing; when she woke up, she would sing the melodies she had dreamed up to someone so they would not be forgotten. 

She began commercially recording her music when she was sixteen years old. Her music, like that of many at the time, spoke for the voiceless Africans and was more than just entertainment. Because of her political involvement, she gained a lot of followers all over the world, but she also made enemies because her songs highlighted the problems faced by Black people in townships. As a result, the South African government at the time declared her to be a threat to national security. She went back to Zimbabwe to pursue her profession in music. She traveled extensively throughout Tanzania and Malawi for many years, advocating for the liberation of Africa.

     

                                               

She moved to London after visiting the countries of Southern Africa, but she did not get the welcome she had anticipated. She went around London doing her hit songs anywhere she could. Dorothy had written songs that were comparable to those of Miriam Makeba, her equal, but oddly, neither she nor her music were warmly welcomed. But Miriam Makeba was a notable performer of her songs.

She later went back to Zimbabwe to pursue her career, but soon after leaving Zimbabwe, she escaped to Zambia out of fear for her life due to her ongoing political ties.  

 

Still, Dorothy took a sabbatical from recording music during the height of her success. She started working as an air hostess in Zambia while taking care of her family. However, her songs never stopped shining a light on individuals who opposed the barbaric practices of colonization and apartheid. 

Dorothy always had a nice pair of earrings that went perfectly with her natural look. She dressed appropriately, sang beautifully, and maintained a really natural sophisticated image, even with her short afro and tons of accessories. I respect the resilience of black women because they have always carried themselves like queens, never presenting themselves as their problems.

 

The classic photo (above) of three gorgeous black girls speaking and simply being girls makes me happy. The fashion in this shot is something to be proud of. Without it, it would be impossible to discuss the timeless legend that is Dorothy Masuka. All in one picture: the ease of wear, the adorable little prom dresses, the stance, the shoes, and the black girl charm. One of the most recognizable images in South African music history is still this one. 

She made us laugh, cry, dance, and be aware of our difficulties throughout her long existence. As the voice of Africa, she inspired us to be proud to be black. She sang from her soul, and souls never die, thus her name will go on forever in the heart of Africa. Her influence will be felt for generations to come. 

A LEGEND A QUEEN A VOICE