rights of oppressed black women. local and international awards for his Mkhize participated in the 1956 contribution to music. Women’s March in Pretoria against the Pass Laws which forced black people to carry Mahlathini Simon “King of the special identity documents at all times. Groaners” Nkabinde She was presented with the Bravery Award Simon Nkabinde, better known as by the ANC Women’s League in 1998, and Mahlathini, was one of the most important received a Military Gold Medal from former figures in South African musical history. President, Nelson Mandela at the A singer famous for his remarkably deep Umkhonto WesiZwe (MK) Military Veterans voice, he became known as both “the king Conference in 1999. of the groaners” and “the lion of Soweto.” Mkhize died of heart failure on 10 July Mahlathini formed the band Mahlathini 1999. In tribute to Mkhize, Durban’s and the Mahotella Queens with local EMI Municipal building, Martin West, on Smith producer Rupert Bopape, and worked with Street, was named after her on 21 March many groups including the Dark City 2005. Sisters. They became a major live attraction, Gugu Dlamini with Mahlathini's extraordinary vocals Gugu Dlamini died at the age of 36 offsetting the intricate harmonies of the After military training, Makhaye worked murdered because of her great courage. Queens. Mahlathini died on 19 July 1999, closely with celebrated MK commanders. She is known as one of the first women in at the age of 62. He studied political science in Cuba, and Durban to publicly declare her HIV status. led specialised military training units in Dlamini was kicked, beaten and stoned East Germany. He was in the MK command John Langalibalele Dube to death by a group of men outside a John Dube was an educationalist, an of the Natal Urban Military machinery, and KwaMashu shebeen in December 1998 later the Natal Command. African nationalist and politician, as well apparently because she had admitted to as minister of a Congregational church. Makhaye was MEC for Local Government, being HIV positive. At the time of her death, Housing and Traditional Affairs in Born in Inanda on 22 February 1871, in she was described as “South Africa’s first 1912 he founded the Natal Native Congress KwaZulu-Natal before he lost his battle AIDS martyr.” with lung cancer in October 2004. and was later invited to become the first president of the South African National Lucky Dube Congress. Dube was also the founder of Strength of a Rock Reggae legend Lucky Dube was shot and the Zulu-English newspaper ILanga lase A woman of power and great killed on 28 October 2007 in Johannesburg, Natal and established the Ohlange High determination, Florence Mkhize was born the apparent victim of a hijacking. School. in 1932 and raised at Umzumbe, on the Born in Newcastle on 3 August 1964, he Dube died on 11 February 1946, but his South Coast. Many people knew the recorded more than 20 albums in his 20- contribution to Durban and South Africa courageous woman as “Mam Flo”. Mkhize year career. In 1982 he went global with will not be forgotten. became politically active at an early age the release of Kudala Ngikuncenga, a and later became one of the most active mbaqanga album. ______women leaders in the apartheid struggle. His introduction to the international Together with Helen Joseph, Lilian stage attracted many new fans, particularly Information courtesy of Independent Ngoyi, and Ray Alexander she founded the when he was invited to play at the Online www.whoswho.co.za, Federation of South African Women in Sunsplash Festival in Jamaica in 1991. www.anc.org.za, www.sahistory.org.za, 1958, an organisation that fought for the The great musician won more than 20 www.mask.org.za, www.mg.co.za 21