The forced move away from the Sophiatown township inspired Strike Vilakezi to compose "Meadowlands". Originally sung by Nancy Jacobs and Her Sisters, "Meadowlands" was set to an "infectious jive beat". It featured music writer Todd Matshikiza on the piano. As with many other protest songs of this period, "Meadowlands" was made popular both within and outside South Africa by Miriam Makeba, and it became an anthem of the movement against apartheid. Several other songs, including Makeba's "Sophiatown is Gone", and "Bye Bye Sophiatown" by the Sun Valley Sisters, also referred to the relocation from Sophiatown. "Meadowlands" has subsequently been quoted in compositions by South African musicians, especially in Cape Town, and was covered by several artists, including the Tulips, and Dolly Rathebe. The song was performed outside South Africa by several artists during the apartheid era, helping "expose the injustices suffered by oppressed racial groups", according to commentator Michaela Vershbow. In 2007, it was included in the collection "Essential South African Jazz".