Asimbonanga

"Asimbonanga"
Song by Savuka
from the album Third World Child
LanguageZulu, English.
Released1987
Recorded1986
GenreAfro-pop, Worldbeat, South African traditional.[1]
Length4:51
LabelCapitol
Songwriter(s)Johnny Clegg[1]
Producer(s)Hilton Rosenthal[1]
Nelson Mandela, one of the anti-apartheid activists to whom "Asimbonanga" was dedicated.

"Asimbonanga", also known as "Asimbonanga (Mandela)",[1] is an anti-apartheid song by the South African racially integrated band Savuka. It was first released as a 12" single in 1986, and then included in their 1987 album Third World Child. It alluded to Nelson Mandela, imprisoned on Robben Island at the time of the song's release, and other anti-apartheid activists. "Asimbonanga" is a Zulu phrase that may be translated as "We have not seen him".[2] It was well received, becoming popular within the movement against apartheid, and was covered by several artists including Joan Baez and the Soweto Gospel Choir.

  1. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference AllMusic was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Songwriter Clegg On Mandela, South Africans' 'Bridge'". National Public Radio. 6 December 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2023.