Vicky Sampson became a household name when she released her single 'Afrikan Dream' more than 30 years ago. In a wide-ranging interview, she spoke about growing up in Hanover Park, the influence of her father, Victor Herbert Sampson, and how the success of Afrikan Dream caught everyone, including her and the writer, by surprise, and defined the rest of her career.
Image: Screenshot / Crossing the Line Podcast
Vicky Sampson, who became a household name with her hit song Afrikan Dream more than 30 years ago, was the first guest whose interview we published on the Crossing the Line podcast series.
In a wide-ranging interview, she spoke about growing up in Hanover Park, the influence of her father, Victor Herbert Sampson (who was known as the Johnny Matthis of South Africa), her start in the music industry through winning a competition in Johannesburg, and how the success of Afrikan Dream caught everyone, including her and the writer, by surprise, and defined the rest of her career.
Crossing the Line is a podcast series of interviews started by former Cape Times editor Ryland Fisher last year. So far, he has posted 15 interviews with a wide range of interesting guests.
“The success of Afrikan Dream has such a big impact on my life, as someone who came from the Cape Flats and from an activist background,” Sampson said during the interview. “It has become such an integral part of who I am, of my hope, my life and my ideals, not only for South Africa, but for the whole continent. The African Dream is still relevant today.”
Sampson said that there are lessons that the young people of today can learn from the time when she was involved in youth organisations.
“We knew we were fighting against apartheid and for freedom. We were determined to have freedom in our lifetime. The young people of today have many more dilemmas. The young people of today need to find a way of contributing to society and not just do things for self-promotion. They need to think about how they are being affected by the things we are facing as a country, a continent and the world. It is probably much more challenging to be a young person in the world today.”
Sampson spoke about meeting and performing for Nelson Mandela several times.
“The first time I met him was at rally at Athlone Stadium where I accidentally kissed him on the mouth and that photo was the main picture in the newspapers the following day. But I sang for him several times after that. It was always a special experience.”
She said the music industry was far from glamorous.
“It is only glamorous when you are on stage under the bright lights. But there are many unglamorous moments, such as when I have to get up at 3am to catch a 6am flight to go do a gig in Johannesburg, or being separated from my kids when I am on the road so much.”
Follow Crossing the Line on social media:
Instagram: @crossingthelinepodcast.cpt
Facebook: Crossing The Line