Today is a day of contrasts for me—one that reminds me of the delicate balance between honoring our roots and embracing new adventures. In just a few hours, I’ll be boarding an evening flight to Durban, where I’ll spend the night before embarking on a two-week cruise to Madagascar and Mauritius. It’s a journey that I know is so special for my husband Richard and which we have been looking forward to for months—a time to relax, reflect, and draw inspiration from the beauty of the ocean.
But before that, I have something deeply important to do: attend a family funeral in Ramotswa.
In our culture, funerals are not just about saying goodbye. They are about community, respect, and continuity. They remind us that life is a circle—where beginnings and endings are woven together by shared traditions. Attending these occasions is more than a duty; it is a way of affirming who we are and where we come from. It’s about standing with family, offering comfort, and acknowledging the values that have shaped us.
For me, music and culture are inseparable. Every note I sing carries the rhythm of my heritage—the stories, the struggles, and the celebrations of those who came before me. When I stand with family in moments like this, I feel the same heartbeat that inspires my music. It’s a reminder that art is not created in isolation; it flows from the well of tradition, from the voices of ancestors, and from the shared experiences that bind us together.
Even as I prepare for the excitement of travel, I know that these moments of togetherness are what give meaning to everything else. They ground us. They teach us that no matter how far we go, we carry our heritage with us—and for me, that heritage sings in every melody.
So today, I pause. I honor. And then, with gratitude, I move forward—carrying the strength of my roots into the adventure ahead.
Nnunu Ramogotsi: Africa's Jewel 