BEYOND MEMORY RECORDING THE HISTORY, MOMENTS AND MEMORIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC From the diary of Max Mojapelo Edited by Sello Galane AFRICAN MINDS Published in 2008 by African Minds 4 Eccleston Place Somerset West 7130 South Africa www.africanminds.co.za Originated by KAMR – Kgapana African Music Records 12 Rio Grande Street, Westenburg, 1699, Polokwane, SA [email protected] P.O. Box 968 Oliefantsfontein, 1665 Copyright © 2008 by Thamagana Maxwell Mojapelo All rights are reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. ISBN 978-1-920299-28-6 Produced by COMPRESS.dsl www.compressdsl.com Proofread by Karen van Eden Cover images: 2 1 3 1. Chris Ledochowski / South (africanpictures.net) 2. Motlhalefi Mahlabe / South (africanpictures.net) 4 3. Paul Weinberg / South (africanpictures.net) 4. Rodney Barnett / South (africanpictures.net) Great care has been taken to acknowledge all sources used in this book. If, through an inadvertent oversight on our part, any information has been used without acknowledgement thereof, we undertake to correct the matter as soon as it is brought to our attention. Equal care has been taken to spell correctly the names of bands, their members and other people who appear in this book. However, should you note any incorrect spelling(s), please e-mail the publisher on [email protected] and we shall make the necessary corrections to future editions. Ebook ISBNs Ebrary 978-1-920355-88-3 MyiLibrary 978-1-920355-89-0 Adobe Digital Edition 978-1-920355-90-6 he first copy of Beyond Memory was presented to the first state president of the democratic, non-racial and non-sexist Republic of South Africa, Dr TR.N. Mandela, on his 90th Birthday. THANK YOU TATA As a child I learned you were a Prisoner Your Rivonia Trial became a Protest Later History taught me you were a Prince. On the island you were Prominent To millions of Blacks you were a Prophet. On your release you wished us Prosperity Reconciliation is what you Preached. Through the struggle you became President Your inauguration was Prestigious. As author your pen is Prolific. You chose to be a Premier Pensioner You continue to be our Principal. A globe-trotter who champions Projects You make all South Africans Proud Not long ago you rushed to Paris To save humanity from Perish. Your 46664 campaign is a Platform To fight the HIV/AIDS Plague. Arrow, arrow shoot away Prostate Arrow, please shoot away Ulcer Arrow, kindly shoot away Cancer. Mother, Mother, Mother Nature Father, Father, Father Future Please give him more Coffee No, not yet a Coffin. 100 is Mighty So is Ninety. iii DEDICATION This book is dedicated to my friend, my uncle and my mentor, Matsetsebale Athanas Mojapelo, who was known to the music fraternity as “Bra Jimmy”. He was the most knowledgeable, straight-talking, professional and progressive person I had the privilege of knowing. His blindness opened my eyes. iv CONTENTS Acknowledgements vi Acronyms & Abbreviations vii Editor’s Note ix Preface xi Introduction xiii 1. Soweto Soul Music 1 2. Alex Soul Menu and Beyond 38 3. Quick Quick 50 4. The Cape Connection 67 5. Into the Vibrant 80s 72 6. Ladies of Song 84 7. In Twos and Threes 115 8. When Two Cultures Kiss 122 9. The Era of The Steam Train 136 10. Ska Flowers 157 11. New School 166 12. Fine Male Voices 195 13. Contemporary African Music 201 14. Joy or Jazz 223 15. Exile Blues 263 16. Trading in Tradition 293 17 Voice Power 303 18. Welcome Madiba 308 19. Praising and Praying 319 Bibliography 342 Internet Resources 342 Index 343 v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS These are the musicians, producers, engineers, and industry officials and practitioners consulted before or during the writing of this book: Sabata Koloi Lebona, Mosa Jonas Gwangwa, Mahwetša Don Laka, Tebogo Steve Kekana, Condry Ziqubu, Sibongile Khumalo, Jabu Khanyile, Thami Mdluli, Moses Ngwenya, Kenny Mathaba, Joe Nina, Sello Galane, Jaws Dlathu, Rebecca Malope, Orrack Chabangu, Abram Mija, Master Sechele, Arthur Mafokate, Ray Mkhize, Vusi Mahlasela, Rupert Bopape, Hildah Tloubatla, Simon Nkabinde, Albert Ralulimi, Moses Jabu Dlamini, West Nkosi, Blondie Makhene, Marks Mankwane and Bongani Ngubani. Let me also thank the many musicians, industry colleagues and friends who knowingly or unknowingly contributed towards the fulfilment of this dream. MAGAZINES Club, Jive, Drum, Pace, Hit City, Pulse (City Press), Inside (Sunday Times), True Love, Ubuntu NEWSPAPERS City Press, Sowetan, Sunday Sun, Sunday Times, Sunday World, Mail & Guardian OTHER SOURCES e-tv, SABC, Gallo Records, Sheer Sound, Kora All Africa Music Awards, Sony Music Entertainment, RISA (SAMAs) APPRECIATION FOR YOUR SUPPORT Mmamaje Mojapelo, Mampaka Mojapelo, Moss Matlalepoo, Lucas Nocky Mphahlele, Ike Kekana, Tlou Setumu, Puleng Nkomo, Lucas Mahlakgane, Chaka Chaka Mthombeni, John Maluleke, Moloko Mashamaite, Cyril Ngoasheng, Kgwathi Mothapo, Edward Maahlamela, Klaas Mashilo, Setabo Maphalla, Willie Mooka, Professor Sekgothe Mokgoatšane and my children. vi ACRONYMS & ABBREVIATIONS ABSA – Amalgamated Banks of South Africa AC – African Connection AFUBI – Afro Funk and Blues Investigation AIDS – acquired immune deficiency syndrome AIRCO – Association of Independent Record Companies AJP – African Jazz Pioneers aka – also known as AMAHA – African Musicians Against HIV/Aids AMPAS – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences APEU – Anti-Piracy Enforcement Unit ASAMI – Association of the South African Music Industry AUAA – Artists United Against Apartheid AYB – African Youth Band BMG – Bertelsman’s Group CASA – Composers’ Association of South Africa CCP – Clive Calder Productions CD – compact disc CISAC – International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers COSATU – Congress of South African Trade Unions CSR – Creative Sound Recordings CWUSA – Creative Workers’ Union of South Africa DOCC – Donaldson Orlando Community Centre DPMC – Dave Penhale Music Company DVD – digital video disc EFP – Eric Frisch Productions EMI – Electric and Musical Industries Limited FIFA – Federation International Football Association FNB – First National Bank FUBA – Federated Union of Black Artists GRC – Gramophone Record Company HIV – human immunodeficiency virus ICASA – Independent Communications Authority of South Africa IPCC – International Pentecostal Church Choir KZN – KwaZulu-Natal MAAPSA – Musicians and Artists Assistance Programme of South Africa MACUFE – Mangaung African Cultural Festival MFM – Mike Fuller Music MIDEM – marché international del’edition musicale vii MIDI – Music Industry Development Initiative MITT – Music Industry Task Team MMFSA – The Music Managers Forum of South Africa M-Net – Electronic Media Network Limited MOBO Awards – Music Of Black Origin MU – Musicians Union MTN – Mobile Telephone Networks South Africa MUSA – Musicians Union of South Africa NEPAD – New Patnership for Africa’s Development NGO – non-governmental organisation NPA – National Prosecuting Authority NORM – National Organisation for Reproduction Rights in Music in Southern Africa Limited PanSALB – Pan South African Language Board PAWE – Performing Arts Workers’ Equity POC – Prophets of the City R&B – rhythm and blues RISA – Recording Industry of South Africa RPM – Records Producers and Manufacturers RSFP Band – Reggae Strong For Peace Band SA – South Africa SAA – South African Airways SABC – South African Broadcasting Corporation SABMA – South African Blind Musicians Association SADMA – South African Disabled Music Association SAFACT – South African Federation Against Copyright Theft SAMA – South African Music Awards SAMPA – South African Music Promoters Association SAMRO – Southern African Music Rights Organisation SAMU – South African Musicians’ Union SARA – South African Roadies Association SARRAL – South African Recording Rights Association Limited SATMA – South African Traditional Music Awards SOS – save our souls SOWETO – South Western Townships SSQ – Soweto String Quartet TKZee – Tokollo, Kabelo and Zwai UCT – University of Cape Town UK – United Kingdom UNICEF – United Nations Children’s Fund WEA – Warner Elektra Atlantic WIN – Worldwide Independent Network USA – United States of America ZCC – Zion Christian Church viii EDITOR’s NOTE Beyond Memory is a collection of Max Mojapelo’s diaries, written in a very personalised style. Critical details lie in the deep meanders of the history, moments, and memories that Mojapelo has about the world of music in South Africa. Mojapelo’s style blurs the lines across styles of many literary genres. It is personalised, conversational, reportorial, analytical and poetic – styles that assume a kind of an African, free authorial narrative. Beyond Memory describes, engages in direct speech and makes reference to a myriad episodes of Mojapelo’s memories, and still tells the same story that touches on the collective history, moments, and memory of the South African music industry. As former deejay, powerful festival compère, former station manager, writer of learning material for schools and a passionate music development leader, Mojapelo has captured the details about everybody and anybody that he has met and interviewed, as well as of those that he followed on the airwaves during and beyond his years as an active radio personality. Mojapelo’s keen eye on every turn of development in the South African music