http://www.flysaa.com/za/en/ | Yvonne Chaka Chaka is one of SA’s most loved singers, and also a regular traveller. Read more about her life’s journey as she approaches her 50th birthday. Remember to book your flight tickets with SAA to ensure the best service on direct flights.

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February 2015 Sawubona 00
traveller
22 Sawubona April 2015
How have you evolved as a musician over the course of your long career?
2015 marks 10 years since I became a Goodwill Ambassador and 30 years since I
entered the music industry. I’ve learnt that you can’t be complacent: you need to
evolve and continually reinvent yourself. I collaborate with young and different
artists. For me, staying relevant is about knowing what’s happening in the
industry, but not changing my genre of music or who I am, as that’s what’s given
me my staying power. Work with different, young people, but don’t lose your
personal touch.
As one of SA’s best-loved singers and a dedicated Unicef Goodwill Ambassador,
Yvonne Chaka Chaka is a regular traveller. As she approaches her 50th
birthday, she tells Gillian Klawansky about her journey so far
UP IN THE AIR WITH…
YVONNE CHAKA CHAKA
What’s your favourite place
outside SA? Rwanda, which is the
cleanest country in the world and
one where crime is now just history.
I think the genocide of 1994 really
made people sit up and realise that
death and anarchy aren’t worth it.
Now you can walk around the streets
at 4am and no-one will grab your
cellphone, so you don’t have to look
over your shoulder.
Another place I love is Tasmania.
I spent 10 days there and I really fell
in love with it. It’s very beautiful,
similar to Cape Town and the people
are wonderful.
How have your travels contributed
to your personal and professional
development? Travelling opens
your mind and teaches you about
diverse cultures and places. It’s made
me appreciate people for who and
what they are. Through travelling,
you learn to tolerate differences.
My philanthropic work has
allowed me to encounter people I
never anticipated meeting, from
sharing a podium with United
Nations Secretary-General Ban-ki
Moon to being invited to the White
House Summit on Malaria by former
American President George Bush
Jnr and being one of 10 women from
around the world chosen by Melinda
Gates to address a gathering. It’s
been quite humbling and has
enabled me to learn from others
and then come home to share that
knowledge with others.
GIVING BACK IN AFRICA
“I’m a very proud African and Ibelieve the continent belongs to all thosewho live in it. It’s not the ‘dark continent’many people think it is. There’s agreat deal of potential here – all we needis the political will of our leaders tolevel the playing field. We can changethe tide. It all starts with somebody,so why not let that person be me? I knowI can’t change the world, but I can
help change people’s mindsets. I can
be part of the solution, instead ofworsening the problem by criticising
things without taking action.” .
“I’m a very proud
African and I believe th e
continent belongs to all
those who live in it.”