The Voice

                            

Dorothy Musaka 

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

Jazz and soul have been part and parcel of the African struggle. Many Africans found comfort and a voice through singing. Dorothy Musaka was such a voice. 

Dorothy Musaka was born in Zimbabwe on the 03-September-1935, to a Zambian father and South African mother. She moved to South Africa at the age of 12 to live with her aunt, it was during this time that her talent was discovered when she joined the school choir. By the time she was a teenager, she had recorded over 30 songs including some that would become lifelong classics. Singing was her passion, she dreamt her songs and when she woke she would sing it to someone so not to forget. 

At the age of 16, she went on to record her music professionally. like many at this time, her music was more than just entertainment but it was music that spoke for the voiceless Africans. Her political affiliation brought her many fans across the globe but in the same breathe enemies, her songs spoke of the struggles of black people in townships, as a result, the then South African government announced her as a threat to the country's security. She returned to Zimbabwe to continue her musical career. she spent many years travelling in Tanzania and Malawi, championing Africa's freedom.

     

                                               

After her travels in the Southern African countries, she moved to London where she did not receive the reception she expected. She performed her hit songs across London and wherever she could. Dorothy had produced similar songs to her counterpart Mirriam Makeba, but strangely she was not well received nor was her music. However, her music was notably performed by Mirriam Makeba

She then returned to Zimbabwe and continued her career, shortly after her time in Zimbwebwa she fled to Zambia in fear of her life caused by her continued political affiliations.  

 

Still, at the peak of her career, Dorothy took a break from making music. When in Zambia she became an air hostess whilst focusing on her family. Her music, on the other hand, continued to give light to those who fought the inhuman acts of colonization and apartheid 

Dorothy kept a very natural elegant look, from a short afro to lots of accessories she always has a great pair of earrings which accompanied her natural look perfectly, She sang well, performed beautifully and dressed for the occasion. I admire the strength that is black women, they never showed up like their problems, they showed up like the queens they are. 

                                                    

 We can not talk about the timeless legend that is Dorothy Masuka without the iconic photography (above) this picture makes me happy, three black girls looking amazing chatting about nothing and just being girls, the fashion in this picture is something to brag about. The simplicity the cute little prems, the pose the shoes and the black girl magic all in one snap. This picture truly remains one of the most iconic photographs in South African musical history. 

She lived a full life, she made us dance laugh cry and aware of our struggles. She made us proud as a voice of Africa, she made us love being black. Her name will forever remain in the heart of Africa, she will be heard from generation to generation, she sang from her soul, and souls never die. 

A LEGEND A QUEEN A VOICE