The prolific reggae artist BlackJahman released an album last monh, to massive response from his fans across the country.

Mandela Lived, Left and Lives on is a fitting tribute to the late former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, who passed away on 5 December 2013. This album boasts 11 tracks, which are fused with elements of dub.

“When I started the musical journey, the first album was titled Freeman, referring to Mandela on his way out of jail to meet his people,” says BlackJahman, the stage name for Witness Ntshangase. “It is therefore great for a South African artist like me to honour this great hero.”

BlackJahman adds that it remains indisputable fact that South Africans own the name Madiba (Mandela) before other Africans do. “Africans own this name before the international community does,” he explains. He says it is his hope that this album will help unite all diverse races, cultures, religions, ages, genders and political parties. “The song Mandela said never again, is a unifier as massive audiences proved in Mukula village a fortnight ago, and now here in Makhado,” he says.

Another track, Madiba's Ghost, calls for a judgement day for those deviating from the values of humanity such as a better life for all. In relation to this song, the respected musician inquires: “How far are you with the children’s hospitals in all nine provinces? Depriving children education is killing the future.”

BlackJahman gets controversial when he asks Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and Graca Machel, in the song Tell me more about Mandela, to tell the people more about what the people may not know about Mandela.

“The song is a plea to Winnie and Graca to tell us what we do not know,” he tells. “Most people  assume to know but the real truth may be farfetched hence Graca and Winnie may know better.”

BlackJahman believes that he has a duty to teach the nation in his songs. “I will not keep quiet and pretend not to see the poverty of our people,” he says. “Freedom must be for all; a better life for all as well. I call for equal rights and justice for all. If leaders and all citizens can understand this message, we can be a winning country and continent. One love.”