Mahlathini & The Mahotella Queens - Mbaqanga (1991)

Music video to one of the group's hit songs, "Mbaqanga", from 1991. Featuring the late, great 'groaner' Simon Mahlathini Nkabinde, the everlasting Mahotella Queens (left to right: Nobesuthu Shawe, Hilda Tloubatla, Mildred Mangxola), and the unstoppable backing band Makgona Tsohle Band.

Original music video with improved soundtrack.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• South
• African
• Music
• mbaqanga
• Mahlathini
• Mahotella
• Queens
• Soweto
• Jive
• Makhona
• World

[KetronWeb]

How did he die a 'poor man' when they had so many hits and him joining this group actually took all of them to greater heights? Does anyone have more details on this? An artist in his position should have been able to get adiquate medication don't you think? More details on his illness, death and 'being poor' would be appriciated. It goes to tell you how manu African artists (despite so much great talent) don't rise as high as they ought to.

[NickLotay]

@KetronWeb

(I'll have to post my comments in two or three parts due to the character limit)

It's a really complicated story, but essentially, all paths lead to exploitation on the part of the producer of the time. The black music industry in South Africa of the 1960s and 1970s was such that the producer - in Mahlathini's case, Rupert Bopape - reaped all the benefits including royalties. The artists were all paid a paltry flat fee.

[NickLotay]

@KetronWeb

(part 2)

Bopape's protege was West Nkosi, who took over the reigns of producer/manager/royalty collector (...) etc. after the international breakthrough of the 'Mahlathini & The Mahotella Queens' act in the mid-1980s. Nkosi continued the exploitation and his wealth, at the time already massive enough, grew and grew whilst the performers' incomes remained at a steady and low level. Nkosi left the group in the early '90s but the damage was already done.

[NickLotay]

@KetronWeb

(part 3)

Because of his lack of income, Mahlathini was only able to survive in a small four-roomed house and was perhaps more susceptible to illnesses than most. He was sick for most of the 1990s - visibly so as he lost weight by the bucket load. His death was stated as being due to complications with diabetes. It has to be said that the Mahotella Queens, thanks to much-needed corrections in the system, each have a sustained, growing income - but it's sadly too late for Mahlathini.

[mteri2000]

Can anyone tell me why was this man died!He died because of what- disease?

[NickLotay]

Mahlathini died in 1999 due to diabetes complications. He also died a poor man... such a shame about the exploitation this great vocalist suffered as he was one of the most talented singers to emerge from South Africa.

[tracylmcc]

Great song!! I have loved this for a while I wish I could understand Zulu or Xhosa, but I am just an American who loves South African music, culture, the people and the gorgeous country that is South Africa.

[lebogang6]

we R the pioneers of mbaqanga music; & we've been spreading/planting this music all over (the world);& 2day still, we continue2spread/plant this music; in just a short while, we will have been singing4 30years,we R who we R today becoz of all our fans;we R proud of you/we showcase you (our fans) through our music; we still dance our traditional, vigorous dances, even in our old age; in music nobody ages, and so we sing always; that's the secret2our success; we live, eat, breathe our music

[carlafierro7]

such beautiful music .. how can anybody dislike this ?!? almost makes you want to cry .. SOME PEOPLE ARE WALKING AMONG US WITHOUT SOULS .. tis a shame :(

[Leiitoo109]

me fascina, gracias mahotella queens colombia te ama especial cartagena de indias, algun dia los tendremos a qui. dios los bendiga

[kediseng]

malobeng fale santse re apara diaparo tsa keresemose,banna tlhe re latlhegetswe ke kgeleke ya mmino

[GreenmanXIV]

If this don't want to make dance around the room. Then you're dead.....

The Mahotella Queens, class big time......

[Bhambatha1]

Wow I love this kind of music.... it makes me feel proud of my heritage as an african youth.... i love their real deep and rooted voices! unwele olude komama bama hottela queens!

[moilwalk]

that voice is the one

[mrsdarcydepp]

i grew up in senegal and i can't get enough of all african music <3 africa

[ikickknowledge]

great vid Thanks for POST!

[oxFutureMrsEfronxo]

hey! please check out my new video and comment(:

[irreverentreverend]

I'll have to give YouTube credit for one thing, at least. It brings a lot of great international music to the greater populace.

Years ago, thanks to Paul Simon, I was introduced to Ladysmith Black Mambazo and now I find this.

Most of us live sheltered lives when it comes to music of the world.

This is wonderful stuff.