The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The Western Cape Government dedicates the 2012 Heritage Debate to the late Brenda Fassie. Emotions ran high when the MEC of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Dr Ivan Meyer, paid tribute to the music legend by visiting her family home and grave site in Langa on Thursday, 27 September 2012.

Fassie, or MaBrr as she was affectionately known by her adoring fans, left behind a rich cultural and musical heritage. A hit song such as “Vulindlela” continues to be enjoyed and danced to by music lovers from Langa to Lansdowne, Mbekweni to Mitchell's Plain, Kraaifontein to Khayelitsha, and indeed Cape to Cairo. It has become the signature tune at many a South African wedding and has indeed been embraced as part of our South African and Western Cape musical heritage landscape. Her music embodies our diversity and exudes cultural warmth.

Kenneth Fassie, her brother, described the impact that his late sister had made by saying: “Brenda put Langa and South Africa on the map, and united people behind her music.” He expressed the family’s gratitude for the visit by the MEC to honour Brenda’s role, to refocus our attention on her contribution and to encourage South Africans to remember the significant role that she played in building cultural bridges across Africa.

Brenda Fassie indeed played a key role in uniting people. The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport believes that social inclusion is built around three things - sport, music and food. The MEC praised Brenda Fassie for uniting people across the African continent, across cultural boundaries and across the language divide throughher music, and, in doing so, she left behind a valuable musical heritage. “It is therefore only appropriate that I dedicate my 2012 heritage debate to Brenda Fassie,” he said.