Ladysmith and Salif Keita release anti-xenophobia song

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United We Stand videoImage source, Vintage Motion Pictures
Image caption,

Ladysmith Black Mambazo's Sibongiseni Shabalala calls for a united Africa

Two of Africa's most famous musicians have released a song against the recent violence against foreigners in South Africa.

The song United We Stand brings together Ladysmith Black Mambazo from South Africa and Malian singer Salif Keita.

Lyrics include the line "Africa is our home, make it a better place".

At least seven people have died over a month of attacks on foreigners and foreign-owned property in South Africa.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo singer Sibongiseni Shabalala told the BBC he was trying to send the message that "Africa is for all of us".

"You can't say you don't like the foreigners to stay in your country. This is not your country, this is our country.

"We are saying people should unite. If there's problems, people should sit down and talk.

Image source, Vintage Motion Pictures
Image caption,

Malian singer Salif Keita is known as the "golden voice of Africa"

"One day your child will want to go and live in Mali, Nigeria or Ghana but because of your decision today it will be very difficult for your future generation to be able to do the same."

The song is playing on South African radio from Friday, will be premiered on TV on Friday evening and will be released on iTunes on Monday.

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