FAMILY

“In 1973 my incredible father Mazisi Kunene, married my beautiful mother Mathabo Rachel Mabowe in London.

As his wife, my mother was my father’s lifelong muse and a genius in her own right, who worked bravely to support all that he pursued.

Together they raised my brothers Ra, Rre, Zosukuma and me - their eldest child and only daughter, Lamakhosi.

We settled in Los Angeles in 1975 and enjoyed a rich familial bond with the African American community in which we lived.

With my altruistic mom at the helm, our home served as the official cultural crossroads and idealogical checkpoint, for the anti-apartheid movement in Los Angeles.

My brothers and I grew up sharing beds with young South Africans whom my parents had rescued out of the brutality of Apartheid. For our family, the fight for freedom defined every aspect of our daily lives.

Surrounded by love and embraced by a tight-knit South African community, all we knew was the melancholic joy of weddings, births, deaths, protest and life in exile.

We were raised on the familiar sounds of political debate, late into the night. Hosting international visitors and attending more vigils, demonstrations, meetings & youth programs than we can remember...”

This site is a loving tribute to Mazisi & Mathabo Kunene, in heartfelt recognition of their boundless commitment to a free South Africa and the liberation of oppressed people everywhere....And to the countless others who fought and fight in solidarity.