Namibians mourn ‘the one and only Brenda’

THE death of the much-loved Brenda Fassie on Sunday has left many Namibians mourning her passing and praising her formidable talent.

Prime Minister Theo-Ben Gurirab yesterday expressed his regrets over the death of the Queen of African pop. “I believe that, like every African, we feared the worst but hoped against hope that she would come out and come back as the Brenda we all loved.Namibia may have been the last country that she visited before her death and we treasure that,” Gurirab told The Namibian yesterday.Brenda performed in Namibia in February during the Miss Malaika Pageant.”Brenda was God’s gift, not only to music but also for making us think that, given a chance, we can excel.She was an authentic queen of music, not only in terms of her talent as a singer but her vitality… she was all music, all energy.She could take us simultaneously into different directions and feelings.”She would make us mad and then she’d make us love her and surprise us.In the end she was a free soul, like a bird… she needed freedom to give us the best of her talent.She is an irreplaceable person and South Africa has lost a great citizen,” said the Premier.Gurirab said he was first intrigued by Brenda when she started out with the Big Dudes and remained so until she released her last album.”She left so much of herself… Even those who didn’t like the way she carried herself, respected her.The music she left us, we will treasure.”A very saddened Health Minister, Dr Libertina Amathila, who described Brenda as her favourite artist, said she had heard the news of the star’s death while campaigning for Swapo at Khorixas.She recalled how she had joined Brenda on stage during her performance at the Miss Malaika Pageant in Windhoek.”She was a lovely person… her voice, her talent… were amazing,” Amathila said.She also referred to the wild child of South African music as “very honest”.”There is only one Brenda.”However, she added: Brenda’s recordings “will remain with us forever.May her soul rest in peace.”Nora Schimming-Chase of the Congress of Democrats said it was sad for anyone to die so young, noting that she had a family and a child.Schimming-Chase recalled Brenda’s “wonderful voice”.She said Brenda’s music had cross-generational appeal:”She is someone who’s music my daughters and I can all listen to.”She referred to Brenda as a “free spirit” who “didn’t conform”.”She gave us a lot of joy, her spirit will stay with us.”The Oruuano Artists Union has opened a book of condolences in Windhoek which will be signed by Namibians and sent to South Africa.Vincent Mwemba of Oruuano said:”Our union is affiliated to international federations and we also co-operate with the South African union, we are one family unit with other artists in SADC and we have been touched by Brenda and she has inspired many so we are doing this in solidarity with other artists.”The signing of the book, which will be open for the public, will take place from 10h00 on Wednesday at the Union’s offices at 63 Robert Mugabe Avenue.”Everyone who feels bad can come and sign the book,” said Mwemba.”I believe that, like every African, we feared the worst but hoped against hope that she would come out and come back as the Brenda we all loved.Namibia may have been the last country that she visited before her death and we treasure that,” Gurirab told The Namibian yesterday.Brenda performed in Namibia in February during the Miss Malaika Pageant.”Brenda was God’s gift, not only to music but also for making us think that, given a chance, we can excel.She was an authentic queen of music, not only in terms of her talent as a singer but her vitality… she was all music, all energy.She could take us simultaneously into different directions and feelings.”She would make us mad and then she’d make us love her and surprise us.In the end she was a free soul, like a bird… she needed freedom to give us the best of her talent.She is an irreplaceable person and South Africa has lost a great citizen,” said the Premier.Gurirab said he was first intrigued by Brenda when she started out with the Big Dudes and remained so until she released her last album.”She left so much of herself… Even those who didn’t like the way she carried herself, respected her.The music she left us, we will treasure.”A very saddened Health Minister, Dr Libertina Amathila, who described Brenda as her favourite artist, said she had heard the news of the star’s death while campaigning for Swapo at Khorixas.She recalled how she had joined Brenda on stage during her performance at the Miss Malaika Pageant in Windhoek.”She was a lovely person… her voice, her talent… were amazing,” Amathila said.She also referred to the wild child of South African music as “very honest”.”There is only one Brenda.”However, she added: Brenda’s recordings “will remain with us forever.May her soul rest in peace.”Nora Schimming-Chase of the Congress of Democrats said it was sad for anyone to die so young, noting that she had a family and a child.Schimming-Chase recalled Brenda’s “wonderful voice”.She said Brenda’s music had cross-generational appeal:”She is someone who’s music my daughters and I can all listen to.”She referred to Brenda as a “free spirit” who “didn’t conform”.”She gave us a lot of joy, her spirit will stay with us.”The Oruuano Artists Union has opened a book of condolences in Windhoek which will be signed by Namibians and sent to South Africa.Vincent Mwemba of Oruuano said:”Our union is affiliated to international federations and we also co-operate with the South African union, we are one family unit with other artists in SADC and we have been touched by Brenda and she has inspired many so we are doing this in solidarity with other artists.”The signing of the book, which will be open for the public, will take place from 10h00 on Wednesday at the Union’s offices at 63 Robert Mugabe Avenue.”Everyone who feels bad can come and sign the book,” said Mwemba.