A legendary mentor
Selaocoe on working with Yo-yo Ma
I’m so honoured that Yo-yo Ma wanted to be part of Where Is Home: it’s not even about the type of musician, but the type of person. He’s able to fit into so many different communities, which is wonderfully inspiring.
The collaboration came about through a celebration for Desmond Tutu’s 90th birthday. I was asked to give an offering of music, and I wanted to bring on board someone to impart a message of thanks. Yo-yo Ma was the first person I thought of – I never thought I’d get a reply, but he was really keen to be involved!
Our first conversation – via Zoom – was not about music, but instead about entering new cultural spaces; about how you humble yourself initially, then show that you are keen to learn, and finally become part of that community. He is very enthusiastic about bridging the divide between communities and understands that sense of standing on the shoulders of those who have fought for our freedoms today. The piece we play on the album is called Ibuyile iafrica (Africa is Back) and it’s about the ability of today’s African youth to work towards a bright future, despite losing the heroes of our past.