Hear This Newly Unearthed Gem Celebrating Nelson Mandela's Trip to NYC

On the 25th anniversary of Nelson Mandela's release from prison, we've unearthed this gem sitting in our archives for more than two decades: A special program Soundcheck host John Schaefer recorded to commemorate the South African leader's historic visit to New York City in 1990.

Hear a live performance by the Mahotella Queens, one of South Africa’s greatest vocal groups and leaders in the music style known as mbaqanga, or “Township Jive,” also dubbed the "indestructible beat of Soweto."

The Mahotella Queens are accompanied by another seminal mbaqanga group of the 1960s, the Makgona Tsohle Band, led by West Nkosi. Their name means “Jack of All Trades," signaling their embrace of Township Jive as well as jazz, disco, reggae, and many other musical styles.

Like Nelson Mandela, many of these musicians, West Nkosi among them, are no longer with us. But that indestructible spirit of Soweto lives on.