Mahotella Queens headed to Paris
Legendary group, Mahotella Queens are set to pack their bags to fly off to Paris, as part of the UN event to honour Nelson Mandela.
The singing and dancing veterans are no strangers to performing all over the world having toured Paris, New Orleans, Munich, Glasgow and New York in their 50 years in the music business.
73-year old Hilda Tloubatla will be joined by Nobesuthu Mbadu, 69, who joined the group in the ’70s, and a new recruit, 29-year-old Amanda Nkosi, who joined the grannies last year after Mildred Mangxola retired for health reasons.
Tloubatla told Timeslive that she is still having the best time of her life.
She said: "So much has happened since I started with the group in my 20s. We’ve seen the world, met amazing people and it’s all through God’s grace."
The maskandi group’s former lead singer, Simon Nkabinde – better known as Mahlatini – died in July 1999.
Tloubatla recalled to Timeslive how she used to make her way to Johannesburg in search of the bright lights in 1964 and record company Gallo was looking for a female band. She auditioned and landed the job.
She said: "I couldn’t tell my parents. My father was so strict he wanted nothing to do with music."
But a month after landing her spot as a Mahotella Queen, she was exposed. "I appeared in Drum magazine and my mother’s colleague showed my family the article," said Tloubatla.
The Queens soon became a household name travelling the world and living in a lap of luxury.
Their first overseas performance was in Paris and was a hit with audiences so they received more invites to perform.
The Mahotella Queens were recently honoured at The Mbokodo awards, a celebration of the achievements of women in the arts.
The 20 categories were judged by sculptor Pitika Ntuli, art critic Antoinette Ntuli and media personality Shado Twala.
Poet Antjie Krog was honoured aswell as actress Florence Masebe and Mafikizolo’s Nhlanhla Nciza.
Check out the Queens below:
