Entertainment | Celebrity

South African Lira dedicating Zulu love song to Obamas

I’m extremely excited, singing sensation says after being invited to sing at ball

AP
Published: 10:57 January 19, 2013

Image Credit: AFP
TO GO WITH STORY BY JAIME VELAZQUEZ (FILES) This photo taken on May 5, 2008, in Rustenburg, shows South African musician and singer Lira arriving at the South African Music Awards (SAMAs). South Africa's multi-platinum artist Lira will be one of many performers at Barack Obama's many inaugural balls on January 21, but she's determined to be remembered for a performance to rival Marilyn Monroe's wooing of John F. Kennedy. AFP PHOTO / PABALLO THEKISO

South African singing sensation Lira says she will dedicate a Zulu love song to United States President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, when she performs at Monday’s inaugural ball in Washington, DC.

Lira says she is blown away by the invitation. She told South African talk show host Redi Tlhabi her career has “gone way beyond my wildest dreams ... I’m extremely excited, it blows my mind.”

On Talk Show Radio 702 this week Lira promised to dedicate a song of her own composition called ‘Ngiyazifela’ to America’s first couple. “It talks about being so in love with one’s partner and I think Michelle and Obama are such an inspiring couple, I just want to pay a tribute to that.”

Ngiyazifela is Zulu slang for being madly in love.