KAMPALA – South African legendary artiste Yvonne Chaka Chaka has said that she could not turn down an invitation by Kabaka Mutebi to sing at Mengo’s New Year celebrations dubbed “Enkuuka y’Omwaka.”
Addressing journalists after arriving in the country on Monday, December 30, Chaka Chaka said she is a lover of culture.
“I was very happy when the king invited me because I am a king’s subject when I am here. “I am a traditionalist. I come from a royal family in South Africa. My husband comes from a royal family and being invited by the king shows that we as Africans still value our traditions,” she said.
The artiste, who has been in Uganda on a number of times said Uganda is her second home.
“I love this country very much. Uganda is like my second home so I am happy to be here but this time I was invited by the king,” Chaka Chaka said.
She promised to stage a memorable performance on Tuesday at Bulange Mengo as the country ushers in the New Year.
Chaka Chaka will sing alongside Eddie Kenzo, Jose Chameleone and Sheeba Karungi, among others to entertain people as they usher in 2020.
Chaka Chaka has been at the forefront of South African popular music for 27 years and has been popular in Zimbabwe, Kenya, Gabon, Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast. Songs like I’m Burning Up, Thank You Mr Dj, I Cry For Freedom, Motherland and the ever-popular Umqombothi (African Beer) ensured Yvonne’s stardom. The song “Umqombothi” was featured in the opening scene of the 2004 movie Hotel Rwanda.
As a young performer Yvonne was the first Black child to appear on South African television in 1981. Since then, she has shared the stage with persons such as Bono, Angelique Kidjo, Annie Lennox, Youssou N’Dour, the crossover group Appassionante, the classic rock band Queen and South Africans Johnny Clegg, Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela, to name a few. She has performed for Queen Elizabeth II, US President Bill Clinton, South African President Thabo Mbeki and a host of other world leaders.
Yvonne is a champion for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, the United Nations MDG Envoy for Africa, and the Goodwill Ambassador for the Roll Back Malaria Partnership. She was chosen by Nelson Mandela as the first ambassador for his children’s fund, and has also established her own charity, the Princess of Africa Foundation, using the name first given to her in Uganda.
