Simphiwe Dana Releases Poignant Single ‘NZIMA’ Ahead of Freedom Day!

Iconic South African artist Simphiwe Dana, is set to release her first single, ‘NZIMA’ off the highly anticipated - and as yet untitled forthcoming album - through Sony Music Entertainment Africa. (Listen to Nzima below for a limited time only)

                                                                                              

Although inspired by the Marikana tragedy - ‘NZIMA’ -  which is being released as a single to broadcast stations today – the song is drawn from centuries of pain and violence, and is essentially a prayer for a people that have had a history of violence inflicted upon them” says Simphiwe Dana.

“’A prayer for Marikana. The wretched of the earth will one day rise and offer their lives as a covenant written in blood. For their children to see the sun again."

Reflecting on the poignancy of ‘NZIMA’ ahead of Freedom Day, Simphiwe Dana emphasises the importance of being reminded - “... reminded of what the past 20 years have been about and to point out whether we are meeting or failing Madiba’s vision - a reminder of the cost of freedom, and for ongoing freedom to be translated to a better life for all”.

A music video for ‘NZIMA’ has just been finalised which will be launched parallel to the single this week. The video sees Simphiwe Dana’s consciousness descend upon a deserted secondary school where she at once represents a teacher at the head of a classroom – except this is no ordinary classroom. Producer Themba Sibeko (White Heron Pictures) made sure that the location shoot for the video took place at the historical landmark of the 1976 uprising – Morris Isaacson High School. 

The video includes stock footage of the Marikana protest courtesy of Rehad Desai, as selected by Simphiwe Dana together with imagery representing innocence through the children, and allows for optimism about the future. Much like the single ‘Nzima’ is far from being an angry song – it has a strong anthemic quality about it which is sentimental – and although subdued in many ways it also carries across the resilient nature of those oppressed – there is always faith that tomorrow can be a better day.

“We understand the value of music as a spiritual conduit for the divine in us all” – Simphiwe Dana @simphiwedana (Twitter)

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