Vusi Mahlasela

Vusi Sidney Mahlasela Ka Zwane, born in Pretoria in 1965, is a Zulu South African singer-songwriter, so often called "The Voice" of South Africa that it became the title of his ATO Records album. His African folk songwriting was an inspiration to many in the anti-apartheid movement and keeps returning to the same subjects: the struggle for freedom, and forgiveness and reconciliation with enemies. He performed at Nelson Mandela's inauguration in 1994, at the Mandela 90th Birthday Tribute in Hyde Park in 2008, and at both Live 8 and Live Earth. Seven studio albums have appeared on Sony in South Africa; he signed to Dave Matthews' ATO Records in 2003, and Taj Mahal produced Say Africa in 2011. The SAMA Awards gave him a lifetime achievement award in 2012.