By Chloe Neu
Song Analysis:
Brenda Fassie’s song “Black President” is one of many songs written about Nelson Mandela during the Apartheid era. Fassie’s lyrics are worshipful, reflecting the feelings of appreciation that many South Africans felt towards his efforts at ending Apartheid. The chorus has a religious essence, “Let us rejoice for our president/ Let us sing for our president/ Let us pray for our president/ Let us sing, let us dance.” These lyrics included phrases that are reminiscent of Christian hymns and could easily be referring to Jesus Christ. This similarity suggests a godlike worship of Mandela and their faith in him to save them from their trials, even seeing him as their messiah, which is not surprising since a large majority of South Africans are Christians because of Dutch colonization. This song is also a history of Mandela’s imprisonment and release, which is reminiscent of stories of biblical heroes such as Moses. Like many African songs, “Black President” contains an oral history meant to inspire the fight for freedom and establish black identity.
Her faith is his power and strength is also referenced in her titling him as “my black president” even though the song was released in 1990 before Mandela became president of South Africa. By recognizing him as her black president as early as 1963 when South Africans were under Apartheid rule, she de-legitimizes the apartheid government and legitimizes his power. By not only calling Mandela my president but my “black” president, she establishes his leadership of black South Africans but also telling the apartheid government that South Africa will be or is already being led by a “black president.” Perhaps she identified him as president to influence the tide of politics in that direction since he was elected four years later, effectively creating a coextensive moment.
Brenda Fassie’s song “Black President” is one of many songs written about Nelson Mandela during the Apartheid era. Fassie’s lyrics are worshipful, reflecting the feelings of appreciation that many South Africans felt towards his efforts at ending Apartheid. The chorus has a religious essence, “Let us rejoice for our president/ Let us sing for our president/ Let us pray for our president/ Let us sing, let us dance.” These lyrics included phrases that are reminiscent of Christian hymns and could easily be referring to Jesus Christ. This similarity suggests a godlike worship of Mandela and their faith in him to save them from their trials, even seeing him as their messiah, which is not surprising since a large majority of South Africans are Christians because of Dutch colonization. This song is also a history of Mandela’s imprisonment and release, which is reminiscent of stories of biblical heroes such as Moses. Like many African songs, “Black President” contains an oral history meant to inspire the fight for freedom and establish black identity.
Her faith is his power and strength is also referenced in her titling him as “my black president” even though the song was released in 1990 before Mandela became president of South Africa. By recognizing him as her black president as early as 1963 when South Africans were under Apartheid rule, she de-legitimizes the apartheid government and legitimizes his power. By not only calling Mandela my president but my “black” president, she establishes his leadership of black South Africans but also telling the apartheid government that South Africa will be or is already being led by a “black president.” Perhaps she identified him as president to influence the tide of politics in that direction since he was elected four years later, effectively creating a coextensive moment.
