Gugu Sibiya

Gugu Sibiya

Vicky Sampson, pictured, is going to represent Africa at the closing of the special games in Shanghai, China, tomorrow, alongside other representatives from the continent.

Speaking to Sowetan from the OR Tambo International Airport before jetting off, an ecstatic Sampson said: "It's an honour for me to represent, not only my country, but Africa as a whole at the special games and I hope to do our continent proud.

"Madiba is my inspiration, so I am going to sing for him. My pride at being South African stems from Madiba bringing our country to where it is," she said patriotically.

Sampson said the invitation came about as a result of her record company EMI SA sending her music to China last month.

"The Chinese must have loved what they heard," she said proudly.

After years of riding on the coat tails of her evergreen classic My African Dream, Sampson will finally release a new album on her return from China.

"I am so excited about Licence To Sing. It's an album that is going to show where I have been and where I am now. Like everyone, I have been through ups and downs, trying to find out who I am, taking the good and bad in my stride. Thank God I am finally where I can laugh, sing and be happy. I finally have a licence to sing," she gushes.

The sultry songstress said the title of the album came about because of a certain gentleman who approached her after a set and told her she had a licence to sing.

"I feel blessed to have finally recorded it. I am happier than I have been in a long time," she said.

She said her album was a reflection of herself as a musician.

"It's got rock, jazz, pop, soul and R&B influences. It's a reflection of all the music I have ever done and I hope there will be a song for everyone.

"To fans of My African Dream, there is a song by the same guy who wrote it , Alan Lazar, and it's called One Tribe Under Heaven.

"While in China, I plan to open doors for myself," she promised.