Landmark is level 2 of 4 in the South Africa Hall of Fame: a first that opened a door, or the pre-eminent figure of their generation in this country. See how the levels work.
Why they are here
Simon Nkabinde's groaning baritone against the Queens' harmonies over the Makgona Tsohle Band — mbaqanga itself, and something to dance to through the worst of apartheid.
The Mahotella Queens were formed in 1964 and are the foremost group in mbaqanga, the style born in South African recording studios in the 1960s and the first there to use fully electric rhythm accompaniment.
The Queens combined multi-part harmonies and vigorous choreography with the baritone of Simon 'Mahlathini' Nkabinde and the backing of the Makgona Tsohle Band. The group reformed in 1986–87 and, after the Mandela seventieth-birthday tribute at Wembley in 1988, found an international audience.
The Queens combined multi-part harmonies and vigorous choreography with the baritone of Simon 'Mahlathini' Nkabinde and the backing of the Makgona Tsohle Band. The group reformed in 1986–87 and, after the Mandela seventieth-birthday tribute at Wembley in 1988, found an international audience.
Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we will check it.