The Black people of West Papua are subjected to a brutal military occupation by the Indonesian government, reminiscent of the Apartheid days of South Africa. During pro independence demonstrations in West Papua – where all freedom songs are banned, along with raising the national flag – Lucky Dube’s songs are played. They are played in the streets of the capital, Jayapura and in every town and on every cellphone across the land.
Back in 2007, on the day of Lucky Dube’s funeral, people marched on the streets of Jayapura in West Papua. It was a national day of mourning. The West Papuan independence movement had lost a hero.
When freedom fighter Mr Benny Wenda visited South Africa on his mission to campaign for the freedom of West Papuans and raise awareness of the silent genocide that is taking place in West Papua, he met with former Lucky Dube Band members and told them about Dube’s spirit and his music’s fame in West Papua. It was a natural decision for Thutukani Cele and Sista Phumi, who played and toured with Lucky Dube, to record a song dedicated to the people of West Papua.
Source: Dancing Turtle
Title: Free West Papua
Artiste: Sista Phumi, Thutukani Cele feat. Benny Wenda
Written & produced by Thutukani Cele
June 2015
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