Music and the arts can be powerful tools to raise awareness and promote change during times of oppression. Few people know this better than Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse and Vusi Mahlasela.

Like many musicians from Apartheid-era South Africa, such as Miriam Makeba or Hugh Masekela, Sipho and Vusi have many stories to share about the fight for freedom through the arts.

Sipho has been in the music business for more than 40 years. His songs represent South Africa’s people and history. Growing up, he loved the music of Charlie Parker and Stevie Wonder and was very inspired by the local culture from his township of Soweto.

In 1984, Sipho wrote a song called Burn Out. This song did something very rare; it crossed racial lines. For the first time, white and black South Africans were listening to the same music - the music of the townships. He and many other musicians at that time used their songs to cross these boundaries. Their songs were a uniting force in a divided country.

Sipho often wrote secret political messages in his lyrics. This was a dangerous practice with a threat of imprisonment. Another person who understands the power of music is Vusi Mahlasela.

On his recent trip to New York City, Vusi shared the story behind his song When You Come Back. He wrote this piece for his friends who were sent abroad for their political beliefs. He asks, “Will they beat the drums when you come back?” He hoped that those who fought for freedom could one day return to a better South Africa.

Coming Up: The leaders of the “Rainbow Nation”.

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