Yvonne Ntombizodwa Moloko Machaka, or Chaka Chaka’s rise from the townships of Soweto to become a South African superstar and the “Princess of Africa,” shows a remarkable parallel with the liberation of black South Africans, African women, and perhaps the whole of Africa. Today she continues to inspire people through her music and her dedication as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador.
Walking a Tightrope During Apartheid
“I started singing at the height of apartheid, it was very difficult.”
In 1985, the apartheid system in South Africa was omnipresent. There were separate parks, hospitals, schools, public toilets, radio stations, beaches, and cinemas for white people. Only inferior goods and services or nothing at all, was left for blacks.
The star not only managed to walk a tightrope in her personal life. She realized she could use her fame to work toward ending apartheid. Yet, at the same time, she had to be careful not to anger the authorities and be labeled a rebel.
“When I started singing I thought: this is a great platform to tell the world what I am feeling and what I am going through in my country.”
Her lyrics thus often hinted at the political situation, but had to be clever enough to make it past the censors.
“So I made songs like ’Cry for Freedom‘ and ’Let Him Go.‘ I said it is just a woman crying for freedom from her husband, he is beating me up. So we had to make a video with a woman who got beaten up by her husband.”
“’Let Him Go‘ was actually a song dedicated to Mandela.“ Another song ”Winning my dear love,“ sounded remarkably like ”Winnie Mandela.“ Especially when performing live, the crowd was electrified and knew exactly what was meant.
Remarkably, most black people didn’t even know what Mandela looked like because stories about him, pictures, and even his name was taboo.
During festivals and concerts information and news was passed around. It was not just a place for entertainment, but for raising awareness and unity against apartheid.
“The only white people that would come were police. To come and check what we were saying.”
Sometimes Chaka Chaka would speak in Zulu to the already steamed up crowd. All they wanted was their freedom. The armed policemen couldn’t understand that, she said.
“I think people understand more through music and through music you can say so many things. Music plays a very positive role in changing people’s minds.”
One day she received a note from Nelson Mandela. The note read: “Keep strong! Your music keeps us going in jail.”
When apartheid was finally abolished in 1994, Nelson Mandela personally came to visit her at her house.
Humanitarian Work
“You know today I am a United Nations goodwill ambassador. If I was Yvonne the lawyer, which I really wanted to be, then nobody would have known about me.”
Aid organizations such as UNICEF, Roll-Back Malaria, and others, all sought Yvonne Chaka Chaka as their ambassador. In 2006, she founded the “The Princess of Africa Foundation.” She has received numerous awards for music, but also for her work as a humanitarian.
“When I started singing I knew where I came from and decided I needed to help wherever I can.”
Chaka Chaka now devotes her energies helping orphans, fighting AIDS and malaria, women’s empowerment, and many other causes.
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