Mandela honoured in song by UK singer

The release of the single, Long Walk to Freedom, coincides with the first anniversary of the death of the iconic former statesman.

Mandela died at his Houghton home on 5 December 2013, following a long bout of ill health.

Compared to Pink, Avril Lavigne and Kelly Clarkson, Hayer has worked with some of the music industry’s leading producers such as David Frangioni and Pete Wallace.

“I was literally getting to the end of writing my album and was finishing the last song which, after Pharrell Williams’ song Happy, I thought [should be] an upbeat song,” she said.

Hayer said the song is called Alive, and said it referenced Mandela as an inspiration.

“I’ve used his examples throughout my own life,” she said.

The singer-songwriter took a change in direction after watching the films Long Walk to Freedom and 12 Years a Slave.

“[I] could not stop crying throughout the film… It struck such an emotional chord with me that the only way I could stop crying and express how I was feeling was to write the song Long Walk to Freedom,” said Hayer.

“For me, it is important for everyone to have freedom, which I believe is a divine right.”

The singer added that the song was written in 15 minutes, and that, instead of recording Alive, she chose to record Long Walk to Freedom instead.

“Mandela has been such an inspiration. If I could give back in some small way by trying to honour that, it would be my pleasure,” said Hayer.

The single will be featured on Hayer’s new album Rise Again, due for release early next year.

LISTEN: Gaurika Hayer talks about her new album and performs the Long Walk to Freedom single:

https://youtu.be/VDyAIxKHV8k?list=UUIr1MABJHks7F2Fxo_ptMTw