But by the time it opened on Broadway, the political climate at home had altered radically. Suddenly we found ourselves on TV, being asked about the political situation in Soweto. She left Ipi Tombi shortly after, when she met South African diva Miriam Makeba, then working in America, and was hired as her backing singer. She had been a role model for ever, then she became a mother to me. She encouraged me to do this one-woman show.
Children are innocent but they grow up and take the teachings of their families.
Those same boys we looked after grew up to be soldiers in the townships and ended up killing our own children. My child plays in the dusty streets, while I take care of you. My child breathes tear gas smoke in the townships, while I take care of you. I'm looking at you, growing up. I'm just praying that one day I never see you in the townships holding a gun and killing my own children.