Jerry Dammers to be honoured in South Africa for Free Nelson Mandela

[dipsydoodle]

It's one of the best known and arguably most effective political songs in pop history. Just over 30 years ago, in March 1984, Jerry Dammers released the single Free Nelson Mandela with his band the Special AKA, and this straightforward, cheerful but angry demand for the release of South Africa's most celebrated political prisoner became a top 10 hit in the UK, a bestseller across Europe and a no 1 in New Zealand.

More importantly, it was heard in South Africa where it was banned but became an anthem in the fight against apartheid.

Dammers said: "I was watching the news one day and they showed a football match in South Africa where the song was being played on the loudspeakers. I don't know how they did it but it was amazing to see."

Now Dammers is being honoured in South Africa, a country that he has never visited before. This Sunday at the Union Buildings, the official seat of the South African government in Pretoria, he will receive one of the country's highest awards, the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo, for outstanding work benefiting the country.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/24/jerry-dammers-honoured-south-africa-free-nelson-mandela

[tularetom]

1. Until I heard this song back in the 80's I was more or less unaware of Nelson Mandela's situation

If you can sit there and not at least tap your feet while it's playing, you better go see your doctor.

Or an embalmer.