Inspirational Black Creator/Entrepreneur

Yvonne Chaka Chaka is a popular award winning South African singer, songwriter, teacher, entrepreneur, humanitarian and actress who has showcased black creativity for over 27 years. She was given the title, "Princess Of Africa" in Uganda, East Africa during some of her successful music tours of the continent. She was the first black child to appear on South African Television in 1981, during the era of Apartheid, a system of racial discrimination in the country. She has inspired a few generations of black youth in many countries around the world, including myself, the author, whose first daughter is named Yvonne, after her.

Yvonne Chaka Chaka was born Yvonne Machaka on 18 March 1965. She was born in Dobsonville in Soweto, and struggled during her childhood, since her family were worse off after the death of her father when she turned 11. Chaka Chaka had it tough growing up. Her mother was a domestic worker, who had to bring up three daughters on a very meagre salary. Yvonne Chaka Chaka is popular all over Africa and globally, especially with so many hit songs including "I'm Burning Up", "Thank You Mr. DJ", "I Cry For Freedom", "Motherland" and "Umqombothi" ("African Beer") featured on the “Hotel Rwanda” movie about the unfortunate 1994 Genocide in Rwanda (East Africa). ensured Chaka Chaka's stardom. Yvonne Chaka Chaka has performed on the same stage as other popular artists such as: Bono, Angélique Kidjo, Annie Lennox, Youssou N'Dour, South Africa’s Johnny Clegg, Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela, to name a few. She has performed for Queen Elizabeth II, US Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, and many other world leaders.

Yvonne Chaka Chaka owns her own organization called “The Princess of Africa Foundation”, which partners with the ACTION global health advocacy and became the first African woman to receive the World Economic Forum Crystal Award. She has been a long-term leader and representative for the Global Fund to fight TB, AIDS, and Malaria. Yvonne Chaka Chaka has also continued to serve as the United Nations MDG Envoy for Africa, and the Goodwill Ambassador for the Roll Back Malaria Partnership. She was chosen by President Nelson Mandela of South Africa, who inspired the world after spending 27 years in prison during the fight against Apartheid, as the first ambassador for his children's fund.

Chaka Chaka has continued to teach literacy in the poor townships of South Africa, where black people had been relegated for decades without access to education and other viable skills. She promotes the rights of the girl-child, encourages women to learn marketable skills to support their families, and works to protect children everywhere. Her participation in the Trustee of Tomorrow Trust is very significant, because the organization promotes education for orphans and other vulnerable children. She also sits on the board of the Ashinaga Kenjin-Tatsujin International Advisory Council, which helps students in Africa gain access to University Education. She also teaches literacy at the University of South Africa, while serving in many charitable organizations that affect positive change.

Yvonne Chaka should definitely be recognized as an inspiring black entrepreneur and creative individual who is a role model to many and has contributed immensely to the world at large. She recently embarked on a Motherland Tour documentary, supported by the Global Fund, filming five years of journeying around Africa. The purpose of this tour has been to highlight the successes of those battling HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria, in order to educate people on these diseases while encouraging and supporting those affected.

Chaka Chaka embodifies the strength, determination, resilience, creativity and constant redefining and re-emergence of black success through the decades. There are many platforms that Chaka Chaka utilizes to continue encouraging and inspiring young people to aspire to be more, do more. Some of these platforms include radio and tv shows to showcase and encourage creativity from women and also men who support the fight against gender-based violence. In addition she is involved in partnerships with other emerging artists and entrepreneurs throughout the African continent and globally.

Here are a few links to find out a bit more about Yvonne Chaka Chaka; including some of her music:

https://youtu.be/dl-kqz8CWaU

https://youtu.be/khW3AocKFKA

https://youtu.be/ue7JbxHbs2s

https://youtu.be/cINsECToSuw

https://youtu.be/HiKNldjRwYM

https://books.google.com/books?id=x-KW9f02oNMC&pg=PA98&dq=Yvonne+Chaka+Chaka&hl=en&sa=X&ei=IotNVZuaFsTUsAWvqoG4CA&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=Yvonne%20Chaka%20Chaka&f=false

https://www.forbes.com/pictures/ehed45mef/yvonne-chaka-chaka-46-south-african-musician/?sh=7c5447152b5b