''They can sing. My eyes watered. I couldn't believe what I was seeing,'' Marley told The Times. He was speaking about pupils of Eqinisweni Secondary School, east of Johannesburg.

"There were many diamonds in the rough - this is Africa so you're going to find them,'' he joked.

Marley, who is in South Africa to promote a range of headphones, will build a fully equipped music room at the school through his family's charity, 1love.org.

Marley, who is one of 11 children, had five children by former Fugees star Lauryn Hill.

He is now dating Brazilian model Isabeli Fontana.

''I'm just doing my part, and my brothers are doing their part. We're extending what we all learned together,'' Marley said of his family, many of whom are in the music business.

Growing up with Bob Marley as a father was unique, he said.

''It was like seeing your father, but seeing an essence about him.

"He was so genuine and so many people loved him.

"You just want to emulate that as his son,'' he said.

The House of Marley range of headphones is made from recycled materials. A portion of the profits is donated to the 1Love charity, he said.

He also runs Marley Coffee, which sells ''sustainably grown and ethically farmed'' coffee.