Songs of freedom

Singer Vicky Sampson.

Songs of freedom spurred South Africans on in their darkest moments during the fight against apartheid, but they echo still today for singer Vicky Sampson.

It’s been more than 20 years since she introduced My AkriKan Dream to the world, and at GrandWest Casino in Goodwood, on Friday and Saturday April 26 and 27, Sampson will be helping young artists be part of that dream.

Sampson, of Crawford, along with the founders of Mzansi Cultural Industries (MCI), Gabi le Roux and Nini Schlechter, will stage Mzansi Many Roots, One Tree.

The show includes performances by Mitchell’s Plain gymnasts Na’eem and Tiffany, Tafelsig rapper Craig “Craiig’O” Hendricks, Khayelitsha singer Phiwe Longo, Athlone hip-hop artist King Luther, Manenberg soul vocalist Kevin J and Springbok’s Fredaulischia “Bokkie” Palm.

Speaking ahead of Freedom Day, Sampson, who is passionate about the “ability of music to heal,” said it was tragic that the African dream was still just a dream for so many in a country reeling from many economic, social and political challenges.

“Music played a huge role during apartheid. I will never forget the struggle days, and I remember marching, placard in hand, during the 1970s with my peers singing struggle and freedom songs,” she said.

Today Sampson has two children, aged 32 and 17, and she hopes for a better life for them.

“I want to see more people working and not on the streets. Communities need to start holding hands to bring about the change they would like to see in the country. Government seems incapable of uplifting this country due to back-biting and corruption, so it’s our responsibility as citizens to seek justice and change,” she said.

It was tragic that women and children still continued to be abused and killed in high numbers, she said.

“More children need to be in school. The gap between the rich and poor continues to grow, and many people are still going to bed hungry. There are still many people risking their lives, working in the mines every day without proper compensation,” she said.

“It doesn’t matter how many cars, houses or money you have. When you die, you cannot take it with you. The way you treat others will be the legacy that you leave behind.”

Tickets cost R150. Book through Computicket.