In 1965, Rupert Bopape, one of South Africa's great black producers, assembled a group of young session musicians-most of them domestic workers from Pretoria- to form the Makhona Tsohle ("Jack of all Trades") Band. Kicking out township pop with the uplift of sax jive and the force of American r&b, the group's bassist Joseph Makwela and guitarist Marks Mankwane in particular forged the all-electric sound that would rock the townships for the next decade. Having produced mbaqanga's seminal vocal group the Dark City Sisters, Bopape took one of their guest male vocalists, Mahlathini, and teamed him with a new female chorus, the Mahotella Queens. Mbaqanga--meaning a homemade dumpling cooked in a hurry--then entered its golden age. The bass "groaner," Simon Nkabinde (1937-1999), earned the name Mahlathini, literally "bush on his head," a reference to his aloof, commanding presence, his link with rural traditions and his unbelievably loud, low voice. Rounded out by the sunny, gospel harmonies of the Mahotella Queens, and by their endlessly inventive dance steps, this supergroup became a sensation throughout southern Africa. The Mahotella Queens took an eight-year break to raise families while another group performed and recorded under the same name.

In the early '80s though, three of the original Queens--Hilda Buthelezi, Nobesuthu Mbadu, and Mildred Mangxola--rejoined Mahlathini, and the revived group now kept busy recording and touring internationally through the 1990s. Following the deaths of Marks Mankwane (1998) and Mahlathini (1999), it seemed that an era had ended. But the Mahotella Queens emerged from their grief with new resolve, formed a new band with young musicians, and returned to the recording studio and the road.

The Queens' 2000 release Sebai Bai was critically acclaimed around the world, and launched them on a new round of international touring. Audiences were amazed to discover that in their mid-50s, the Queens can still sing their hearts out in powerhouse, three-part harmony and out dance everyone in the room. Strangely, Sebai Bai has not yet been released in South Africa, which just goes to show that it sometimes takes an outsider to see the riches you have in your own back yard. In the spring of 2002, The Mahotella Queens are on the road again. Watch this site for details, and if you get the chance to see them, don't miss it!

Contributed by: Banning Eyre