Neneh Cherry recalls the extraordinary life of South African popular singer Brenda Fassie , who died, aged 39, following a massively successful career as one of the inspired and disruptive voices of disenfranchised black people. Dubbed "Madonna of the townships", Fassie - named after American pop/country star Brenda Lee - saw much of her material banned during the apartheid era. Her personal life, characterised by drug addiction, failed concert appearances and huge debts, was laid bare in the press. Both Nelson Mandela and South African President Thabo Mbeki attended her funeral in 2004. Producer Helen Chetwynd