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Showbiz Editor
On Thursday Rita Marley wife to the late Bob Marley was supposed to travel to Zimbabwe to accept her husband’s Lifetime Achievement award.
Unfortunately, due to ill health, she could not make it for the Zimbabwe Music Awards ceremony in Harare. She, however, sent a speech which should have been read during the ceremony but it only arrived yesterday.
Below is the speech:
Greetings Zimbabwe. It’s a great blessing to be with you again after 36 years! I say what a joy.
Bob Marley’s heart and his spirit is with you and will forever be with Zimbabwe. He identified with the struggle.
In April 1980 we travelled for a historic concert to celebrate this nation’s independence. Bob personally paid for the trip from his own pockets. The Wailers, I Three and our sons Ziggy and Stephen were there. Bob’s love for you is so deep that he created the triumphant anthem “Zimbabwe.”
From the core of his being he sings:
“Mash it up in-a (Zimbabwe), Natty trash it in-a (Zimbabwe); Africans a-liberate Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe); I’n’I a-liberate Zimbabwe.”
I will always remember the concert. Bob Marley performed through the suffocating smell of teargas. While everyone else ran for cover,
Bob continued his performance. Never leaving the stage. Bob Marley is the real revolutionary.
Brothers and sisters I’m happy to celebrate with you this evening because we’re all Africans. No matter where you come from, as long as you’re a black man or woman, you’re an African. In September 2015, I received a Living Legends award from the African Union Diaspora African Forum (AUDAF) for my charitable works in the motherland through the Rita Marley Foundation.
Today, I’m truly honoured to receive this prestigious award from Zima, as a symbol of Zimbabwe’s love and support for Bob Marley. His message, music and mission will forever live on. On behalf of my entire family I thank you.
Jah Bless & One Love, One God, One Aim, One Destiny.
derick.khumalo