Congolese highlife musician, Awilo Longomba has revealed that his most prestigious award is the 2003 Kora Award which he offered to Nelson Mandela at Suncity.
In an interview with Foster Romanus on the Late Nite Celebrity Show, he stated that to him, Nelson Mandela just being present at the venue was a huge profit even aside the award because Nelson Mandela was someone he very much respects and appreciates for all the good things he did for Africans.
He said, “Mr. Mandela permitted me to come to him, I gave him my award, and then he hugged me. I have so many awards but that particular one is my most prestigious and a moment I will never forget.”
“Mr. Nelson Mandela fought very hard for Africa. For instance, you can be in South Africa and you will see black and white people living in unity, and it is because of how much he fought for us, to the extent of sacrificing his life in jail”, Awilo acknowledged.
He expressed that for all that Nelson Mandela did for Africa, he felt that he as an artist, did not have enough money that would be worth it, so he thought it best to offer him that award.
By: Maureen Dedei Quaye
