Sophiatown 'Songbook'.(Entertainment)

BYLINE: TERRI DUNBAR-CURRAN

WHAT better time to bring the life of the nation's most influential figure to the stage than when the eyes of the world are focused on South Africa.

"At a time when the whole world is coming here, it's good to give people some background on the people of our country and who we are," says Gloria Bosman, who is performing in Cape Town Opera's African Songbook: A Musical Tribute to the Life of Nelson Mandela, at the Artscape Theatre Centre on June 17-19.

"The Nelson Mandela story is evergreen. It should not die - it's what makes us who we are and it has to be told. Using the medium of music impacts people more."

Bosman …