Amid the growing anti-migrant attacks in South Africa, musician Kishen Woleza Banda has sent out a cry against the vice in his new song One Africa.
In a moving plea, the South Africa-based artist implores perpetrators to look at Africa as a home of Africans regardless of where they come from. The song says even if there are few economic opportunities, it does not harm to share.
The song goes in part: “Ena ataya miyoyo chifukwa chaziwawa, ena kusowa pogwira alibe pokhala. Xenophobia, why? Say no! no to xenophobia. Let us come together as one Africa, tikondane, tikondane. Nanga tidzakhala chonchi mpaka liti? Bwanji tilole chikondi chitsogole…”
Speaking from his base in Muizingberg, Cape Town, Woleza Banda said if we consider our cultural origins and shared heritage, no African should be looked at as a foreigner in any African country. He said the attacks on fellow Africans is killing the good image of Africa.
“Why are we hurting each other instead of spreading the love. If we look at our tribal origins as Ngoni, Yao and Chewa people, you will see that we all share the same roots across the continent. We are now creating excuses of illegal immigration to hunt each other like animals,” he said.
The artist said although he is personally safe, he has composed the song because of the suffering that his compatriots are facing.
One Africa was recorded by Eugene ‘Pon G’ Suwedi at Weapon of Peace Records and its video was shot by Mr Lee and mastered by Rabison ‘24K’ Mbaliwa.
Woleza Banda. Alias Mr Humble, has two albums to his credit; Mfumu mulandire and Mtetezeni. He has also released singles such as Kuchipinda kwa satana, Ambuye zikomo, Tidzakomana and Ndine Mlendo.
