As the world observes Mandela Day on July 18, Jamaican music legends Tommy Cowan and his wife, Dr. Carlene Davis, are revisiting their powerful reggae anthems honoring Nelson Mandela’s legacy of freedom and justice. Their songs, spanning decades, pay homage not only to the South African leader but also to his ex-wife, Winnie Mandela, whose resilience became a symbol of resistance.
The couple’s journey began in the 1980s when they were moved by Winnie Mandela’s unwavering strength during Nelson’s 27-year imprisonment. Inspired by her autobiography, A Part of My Soul Went With Him, Davis recorded Winnie Mandela in 1987—one of the first reggae tributes to the anti-apartheid icon.
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Over the years, their music chronicled Mandela’s historic milestones: Welcome Home Mr Mandela celebrated his 1990 release, Rise Up marked his presidential inauguration, and Thank You Mr Mandela honored his passing in 2013. Each song was accompanied by stirring visuals, amplifying their message of hope and unity.
Davis vividly recalls meeting Winnie Mandela during the couple’s 1991 visit to Jamaica. “The entire island was electrified,” she said. Performing Welcome Home Mr Mandela before a packed National Stadium remains a career highlight. “When Winnie embraced me and whispered, ‘Thank you for your songs—music like yours kept us believing,’ it was a moment I’ll never forget,” Davis shared.
Beyond Jamaica, Davis has performed at global Mandela tributes, including an event at New York’s Gracie Mansion hosted by the city’s first Black mayor, David Dinkins. For Cowan and Davis, reggae is more than entertainment—it’s a divine tool for advocacy. “Our mission is to spread love, justice, and unity across all divides,” Davis emphasized.
As the Rotary Club of New Kingston prepares to host ‘Odes to Nelson Mandela – The Inspiration & The Impact,’ the couple hopes their music continues inspiring new generations to uphold Mandela’s vision of equality. “Let us use music to better the world,” Davis said. “That’s the power of reggae.”
Mandela, who died in 2013 at 95, and Winnie, who passed in 2018 at 81, remain immortalized in these timeless melodies—proof that music can be as revolutionary as the movements it celebrates.
