Owiyo stars at Mandela fete in New York

• Kenyan among singers who performed to a sellout crowd and 50 million TV viewers

Kenya’s own Suzzana Owiyo joined some of the biggest names in the music world for Saturday’s celebration of Nelson Mandela’s birthday in New York.

“It was the most amazing event in my life,” Owiyo said of her performance at the Radio City Music Hall.

She sang her hit song, Sandore before a sell-out crowd of 70,000 and a global TV audience of more than 50 million. After her performance, she joined the rest of the stars in performing “Happy Birthday” for Mandela with the legendary Stevie Wonder on the piano.

The list of performers at New York’s Radio City Music Hall read like the who-is-who in the world of music. They included superstars Alicia Keys, Aretha Frankin, Wyclef Jean, Akon, the Soweto Gospel Choir, Queen Latifah, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Angelique Kidjo, Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse and Lil’ Kim.

Cameras flashing

“There were uncountable cameras flashing and I can’t even remember the number of TV interviews that I had to do. It was an amazing event,” she told the Nation in a telephone interview.

There was a special performance by French First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy. Watched by husband Nicolas Sarkozy, she performed Quelqu’un m’a dit (Someone told me) and a rendition of Bob Dylan’s Blowin in the Wind.

Actress Whoopi Goldberg introduced the concert, thanking the audience for attending such an important event.

The man himself, Nelson Mandela, spoke to the gathering by video link, as did US President Barack Obama.

Owiyo introduced actor Forest Whitaker. Another screen legend, Morgan Freeman spoke about how Mandela had not sought revenge for his imprisonment before introducing the surprise of the evening – a video message from Mandela.

“It was such a great experience rubbing shoulders with everyone. It was also special to meet the French President and his wife. They are amazing people,” said Owiyo who is best known for the song Kisumu 100.

A night before the concert, Owiyo attended a banquet in honour of Mandela where she mingled with some of the biggest names in showbiz. Legendary actor Morgan Freeman and Spike Lee were some of the celebrities at the banquet.

Owiyo performed the song Johanna Give Me Hope by Eddy Grant.

“It was awesome and it made me realise how special Mandela is and has impacted the world. A true leading statesman who has brought people together from all corners of the world,” said Owiyo adding, “at 91 years of his life he believes it’s time for new hands to lift the burdens and as individuals we need to recognise our power to make an imprint and change the world around us.”

kbanda@nation.co.ke