A BBC series is asking influential figures around the world about the defining moments in their life. Here, two prominent musicians discuss the influence of Nelson Mandela.
McCartney saw Mandela's election triumph in person
|
Sir Paul McCartney, together with John Lennon, was the creative force behind most of the Beatles' most famous and influential hits. His recent Back In The World Tour pulled in over two million fans.
Nelson Mandela being elected in South Africa.
That was something we never thought would happen and it was so great to see it happen.
It was such a shot in the arm for civil rights - something we had always been fighting for.
It was just so right - it had to happen.
But to actually be there when it happened was very joyful and very much a defining moment in my life.
Pastor Joseph Shabalala is the leader of South African group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, one of the biggest-selling of all world music acts.
To be free in this country, because nobody was expecting this freedom.
Shabalala is leader of Ladysmith Black Mambazo
|
And the people who were in jail - they're free now, and they take over and they work together with one another.
Number one is Nelson Mandela, because he was there for many, many years, and he was a good man and he struggled for a long time in jail.
And he came back still a good man with the same beautiful spirit.
I saw him on the TV, I was in my room, I stood up and jumped.
It was like there was a big earthquake and that building came tumbling down: "Here comes Nelson Mandela."
Defining Moments will run until 23 July on BBC World Service's World Today programme. You can also read people's recollections on BBC News Online.
~RS~a~RS~International~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~36~RS~){kind=small}
One-Minute World News
News services
E-mail this to a friend
Printable version
