Letta Mbulu will be presented with the IWF Legacy Awards for her excellent contribution in the field of music and her struggle for a just and democratic society.
The award will be presented on Friday, May 22 at the Sandton Convention Centre where Susan Shabangu, minister of women, children and people with disabilities will deliver an opening address.
An elated Mbulu commented that she felt honoured and gratified to be acknowledged by such a prestigious global organisation as the IWF.
“It’s always wonderful to know that people out there are listening to your work. This makes me feel more special,” she enthused.
It may seem that Mbulu, who reached the height of her fame while in exile in the US , may not be slowing down as she is currently in the studio working on her yet-to-be-titled album.
It’s just a matter of time before this world acclaimed singer mesmerises her fans with new music that captivates the familiar nostalgic feeling synonymous with her music.
Mbulu’s famous hits include among others Not Yet Uhuru , Ndiphendule etc.
Women from all walks of life gather in Sandton for the IWF to host global leaders representing some 50 nations from May 20-22 for the 2015 World Cornerstone Conference under the theme Legacy & Inheritance: Journey to the Future.
Part of their mandate will be to discuss hope and opportunity while exploring the inter-linked nature of South Africa’s trajectory across the Sadac region and a world that searches for answers to some of the most intractable social, economic, political and geo-strategic issues of our time.
ABOUT LETTA MBULU
Letta Mbulu was born in Orlando East Soweto South Africa . She has been active in the music scene since the1950s, but left for the US in December 1964 due to the policies of Apartheid .
In the US, she worked with Alto Saxophonist Cannonball Adderley, Producer David Axelrod , Singer Harry Belafonte , Producer Quincy Jones etc. . Her voice can be heard on the 1975 television series ROOTS part one and Part 2 , The Quincy Jones production of the film The Color Purple (1985), and the 1973 film A Warm December Starring Sydney Poitier. She was also a special guest on the 6th episode of the pop music show Soul Train. Mbulu also provided the Swahili chant in Michael Jackson’s single, “Liberian Girl”.
ALBUMS RELEASED TO DATE
• Letta Mbulu Sings (Capitol, 1967)
• Free Soul (Capitol, 1968)
• Letta (Chisa, 1970)
• Naturally (Fantasy, 1972)
• There’s Music in the Air (A&M, 1976)
• Letta (A&M, 1977)
• Letta Mbulu – Gold (A&M, 1978)
• Letta Mbulu – Sweet juju (Morning, 1985)
• The Best of Letta & Caiphus (Columbia, 1996)
• Greatest Hits (Columbia, 1999)
• Letta Mbulu Sings/Free Soul (Stateside, 2005)
• Culani Nami (Sony, 2007)