Nelson Mandela: A convicta luta que contagiou o reggae world!

The man who donated most of his life to racial equality passed away at the age of 95 on December 5, 2013. Nelson Mandela fought for the good of humanity, regardless of color or creed, but his convictions cost him not only his health, but also his freedom. 27 years in prison were unfair, in addition to the tuberculosis he contracted during his detention in Robben Island prison. The strength and focus of África Negra's greatest leader was such that at the time major reggae bands (and also other genres) made several songs not only about their disapproval of Apartheid, but also in favor of Mandela's release.

ANTI-APARTHEID

One of Mandela's main struggles was against APARTHEID, an absurd separatist regime whose philosophy was racial segregation. Under the regime, the white minority in South Africa had more and better rights than black people. With Apartheid and all the feelings of indignation, violence and trade embargoes began, and with protests intensifying, it would not be long before the government went after the leader of the movement. Mandela. The regime lasted a long 45 years, from 1948 to 1993. Despite being a leader, Madiba, as he was called, he was incisive, objective, but not aggressive. Educated and well articulated, his speeches were his main weapon, but living in a racist regime, any graceful movement was subject to imprisonment. Wanting to stop Mandela's libertarian momentum, the African government just wanted a reason to incarcerate him, and did so when he left the country in 1962 (according to the police illegally), being arrested and accused, in addition to the attitude of exodus, for having also encouraged strikes and incited the people against the system.

PRISION

In 1963, Madiba was arrested. He was imprisoned for 27 years, 18 years in Robben Island (Robben Island), on the coast of Cidade do Cabo, and another 9 years in Pollsmoor, on the mainland. The chain weakened the leader's body, but not his spirit. Mandela contracted tuberculosis. He lost his mother in 1968 and his eldest son a year later, being banned from attending both funerals. Despite the psychological burden, he graduated in 1989 - while still in prison - from Universidade da África do Sul. This period of confinement made Mandela become an icon, and further solidified his leadership image. It was precisely there that the artistic class took the lead not only on the fall of Apartheid, but also on the immediate release of Mandela, which in fact only happened in 1990, on February 11th.

REGGAE SUPPORTS MANDHER

Many bands at the time made songs in support of the leader, such as the famous "Mandela Day" by the pop group Simple Minds, but no other musical genre compared to reggae. In addition to having a black majority and already having the fight for social and racial equality in their "DNA", many bands were African and felt all the harm of the Apartheid regime. Barrington Levy, Yami Bolo, Macka B, Ijahman, Sugar Minott, Mighty Diamonds, and countless other personalities shouted for the freedom of Mandela and the long-awaited end of Apartheid. Both Mandela and the great musical class suffered a lot in this regrettable period of disrespect, but the legacy left by these struggles was, in addition to the great songs, the freedom of the people and a little more respect acquired. The situation has improved, but there is still a lot of work to be done, and it is up to us not to let all the struggles and messages given by these legends fall into oblivion. R.I.P. Madiba.

ESPECIAL REGGAE & MANDELA

Click here and access our special selection of songs that talk not only about the convictions of the leader Nelson Mandela, but also about his fight against Apartheid.