National Orders 2011.indd 1 4/21/11 2:00:52 PM - The Presidency

He was part of the eight months’ long Graceland Tour going around the word that was headed by American singer, Mr Paul Simon.
The aim of the tour was to mobilise states in support of the struggle for liberation, better living standards for the oppressed African
states and promoting cross-cultural dialogue. He later earned a Grammy Award for his participation on the tour.
While successful, the tour was fraught with some controversy, but also helped the South Africans to make names for themselves
abroad.
Mr Ray Phiri and Stimela joined other top South African artists such as Mr Lucky Dube, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Ms Yvonne
Chaka Chaka for a tour to France, dubbed Frenchement Zoulou.
He is the founder of the Ray Phiri Artists Institute, which is focusing on unearthing talent and promoting the best music talent that
Mpumalanga can produce. The institute is based at Thembeka High School in Ka Nyamazane, a few kilometres from Mbombela.
We are proud to honour Mr Ray Chikapa Phiri with the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver for his sterling contribution to the South African
music industry and the successful use of arts as an instrument of social transformation.
30
National Orders 2011.indd 30 4/21/11 2:00:59 PM
M