The song "Asimbonanga" by Joan Baez is a tribute to Nelson Mandela and other anti-apartheid activists who were imprisoned or killed in South Africa during the struggle against apartheid. In the song, Baez expresses solidarity with Mandela and others, and calls for their release and for justice to prevail. The lyrics describe the cold sea and grey sky, symbolizing the bleak conditions and oppression faced by those fighting against apartheid. Baez also mentions the isolation of being separate like islands, and dreams of crossing the burning water, representing the desire for freedom and unity. Throughout the song, Baez names several individuals who were prominent in the anti-apartheid movement, including Steve Biko, Victoria Mxenge, Neil Aggett, and others who were killed or imprisoned for their activism. The song ends with a call for change and a plea for justice to prevail. Overall, "Asimbonanga" is a powerful and evocative tribute to the struggle against apartheid in South Africa and a call for solidarity and justice.
