Sathima Bea Benjamin

Sathima Bea Benjamin was a South African jazz singer, songwriter and recording artist. Born in Cape Town, she began her career performing with local bands before leaving South Africa in 1962. She later settled in New York City, where she became associated with musicians including Duke Ellington and Abdullah Ibrahim. She also supported the struggle against apartheid through fundraising concerts and advocacy. In 2004, she was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver by the South African government for her contribution to music and the struggle against apartheid. She died in 2013. Quotes I sort of [deep down inside] knew that this is what I wanted to do, but that was pretty awful because I had no money. Then I had to move from my grandmother's. Then I found out where my mother lived and my mother took me in. It was just like a constant... never having anything but you know what... it was different from what I had known. It took all the safety measures away. I put myself on the line and I said ‘OK, this is it.’ All About Jazz It starts with yourself. You can't know anything until you know yourself. It's very important that you admit all of these things to yourself. At a certain point you have to debrainwash yourself. You have to pick yourself up and say, ‘What am I going to do about this?’ No matter how great the odds, how painful, you must love in spite of everything. It isn't easy. CODA The Creator let me know how to get through. I'm attracted to the practical side of Islam. It's very simple. ‘There is no God, but God.’ And you have your direct connection with your Creator. It's so personal. But it extends to the community, so you embrace. It's so direct. I can't think of anything more beautiful. CODA So I try to say all those things with my music. I hope I can touch more people that way. They might just turn on to a sound and a word. And start opening their hearts that way. CODA I choose. I'm going to do Jazz. But you know what that meant. I didn't have a paycheck. I had to choose. All About Jazz You have to remember when you live with someone like Abdullah, it's very hard to pull yourself out from under and say, ‘You know what? I want to do this.’ And I think for a long time I was very intimidated. Once I started to break out, it became easier as the years went on. Africa Speaks, America Answers External links Category:1936 births Category:2013 deaths Category:Women singers from South Africa Category:Jazz singers Category:Anti-apartheid activists Category:Women activists from South Africa Category:Women born in the 1930s