Like other artists with vision who have applied critical analysis to current events, looking toward the future, Mzwakhe Mbuli has paid a high price for speaking out. Currently the price includes his freedom and even his access to communication.

The best way to get an understanding of the scope of issues and controversies Mzwakhe Mbuli has explored with his music is to listen to it. Most people outside Southern Africa will have to do that by listening to Mzwakhe's CDs until he receives his Pardon and is able to resume his international career so that the added dimension of live performance becomes available. Albums available internationally have included Change is Pain, Resistance is Defence, KwaZulu Natal, and uMzwakhe Ubonga uJehova. Newer albums more available in some areas than others include All the Hits, Mbulism, Thunder, Voice of Reason, Mzwakhe's Gospel Greats and Tribute to Mandela. There is also a DVD, Voice of Reason and in some areas that is bundled with Thunder and The Voice of Reason CD as a Giftpack. Unbroken Spirit was available only outside South Africa. Afrika and Izigi were only available in South Africa and are now out of print.

However, an album was released in 1999 on EMI/CCP, Greatest Hits/Born Free But Always in Chains, including four tracks recorded from Pretoria Prison as well as some of the best pieces from the earlier albums. Included among them is the particularly memorable "Peace Prize," which Mzwakhe performed on the occasion of a celebration in a South African church of the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

If Mzwakhe's albums are not available in your area, you can find some albums online, but there is no question that Mzwakhe's wrongful imprisonment downshifted his brilliant career -- even though, at the time of his trial, the Born Free But Always in Chains album was selling at the rate of 5,000 per day in South Africa, and of course it went gold like his others very quickly. Tribute to Mandela has of course been hugely popular, and not only for the title track. Tribute to Mandela is a very versatile and monumental album both for Mzwakhe and for producer "Chicco" Twala.

The availability of Mzwakhe's music, which is distributed by EMI Music South Africa, will be likely to improve when he receives his well-deserved Pardon. If you feel that Mzwakhe Mbuli's albums are not available enough, please write to President Jacob Zuma at president@po.gov.za and request Executive Clemency for Mzwakhe Mbuli and let President Zuma know that audiences and listeners around the world await Mzwakhe Mbuli's return.

Mzwakhe has also participated in collaborative efforts such as Peter Gabriel's AIDS album and a South African compilation, Only the Poor Man Feel It, which is widely available.

Mzwakhe Mbuli composes his own music and uses it as a backdrop for his poetry, which ranges in style from traditional to utterly modern. Robert Christgau of The Village Voice has characterized his style as "avant-trad," and you can view a Christgau article on Mzwakhe, Culture Hero on this website on the page of the same name.

Mzwakhe has said that most of his poetry is a call to action. Consequently his music is not simply entertainment but also involves messages of empowerment and encouragement for taking action or thinking more deeply about important things that are taken for granted, as is the case with the poems, Our Music and Freedom Puzzle.

OUR MUSIC ~ Mzwakhe Mbuli

Our music is traditional
Our music is inspirational
Our music is spiritual
Our music is therapeutic
Our music is rich and soul uplifting

Our music is our culture
Our music is our entertainment
Our music is our heritage
Our music is our identity
Our music is our pride
Our music is rich and soul uplifting

We accord solemn tribute to our martyrs through our music
We praise and worship through our music
We celebrate significant historic events through our music
We send our messages through our music
We communicate through our music
Yes, our music is rich, real, sweet and soul uplifting

I talk about traditional songs and dance
I talk about wedding songs and love
I talk about freedom songs and Chimurenga*
I talk about healing songs and spiritual power
I talk about songs of war and victory
Indeed, our music is rich, real, sweet and soul uplifting

Africa is ours
Africa Day is ours
This continent is ours
The only continent in the world
That is shaped like a question mark

The only continent in the world
That is shaped like a question mark

Indeed, our music is rich, real, sweet and soul uplifting

(* Chimurenga is the Shona word for the armed struggle of Zimbabwean freedom fighters in Rhodesia.)

FREEDOM PUZZLE ~ Mzwakhe Mbuli

Is freedom a puzzle? Is freedom a quiz?
What is freedom? And what is the meaning of freedom?
To Nonsikelelo Biko, the meaning is different.
To Helen Suzman, the meaning is different.
To ex-freedom fighters, the meaning is different.
What is freedom? And what is the meaning of freedom?
To KwaZulu/Natali people, the meaning is different
To black and white people, the meaning is different
To those living in tin shacks, the meaning is different
What is freedom? And what is the meaning of freedom?

To the bosses and farmers, the meaning is different
To the rich and poor, the meaning is different
To the homeless, jobless, miners and workers, the meaning is different
What is freedom? And what is the meaning of freedom?

Is freedom a puzzle? Is freedom a quiz?
What is freedom? And what is the meaning of freedom?
To the SABC and M-Net, the meaning is different
To Coca-Cola and Pepsi Cola, the meaning is different
To the Star and Sowetan newspapers, the meaning is different

Is freedom a puzzle? Is freedom a quiz?
What is freedom? And what is the meaning of freedom?

Perhaps freedom is like a jigsaw puzzle
Perhaps freedom is like a mirage
Perhaps freedom is wealth for the chosen few
Perhaps freedom is mixed Parliament and freedom of speech
Perhaps freedom is building bridges where there are no rivers
Perhaps freedom is the Truth Commission against the long arm of the law
Perhaps freedom is economic power and the continuation of toyi-toyi
Perhaps freedom is death of apartheid and the establishment of a new order

Is freedom a puzzle? Is freedom a quiz?
What is freedom, and what is the meaning of freedom?

Feel free to share these poems. Please tell community radio hosts in your area to play the music of Mzwakhe Mbuli, and please tell people about Mzwakhe's situation and ask them to visit this site to visit the Petition and read the pleas and tributes of the people.)