5 South African Legendary Female Musicians

A good time to remember the women who played a huge role in entertaining people and proving that music is for all who loves it. These women grew up in a time when expressing your true feelings and thoughts regarding anything and everything was forbidden. That oppression didn’t discourage them or made them any less talented they still sang their hearts out because they had the gift that needed to be shared with the world. Most of these women were living under pressure and unpleasant conditions, music rescued them from all the misery and pain.

Below is the list of 5 females who got into the music industry more than 20 years ago, who are not only one hit wonders but who have made albums and singles that are still listened to and loved in the 21st century. Some of them are no more while others are still pushing. Alive or dead they all made history in South Africa that no one can take away from them and created opportunities for many generations to come. Women like these are part of the reason why August is an important month worth celebrating.

1.Mirriam Makeba

South Africa’s first global star, Miriam Makeba. She was forced into exile during the 1960’s. Her music was banned by the South African apartheid government. The song Pata Pata which was released in 1967 brought worldwide fame.  The song has since been recorded by numerous local artists. Makeba died in 2008 at the age of 76. Her genre was Soul/Jazz

2.Rebecca Malope

Her music career began in 1984 and has won herself a number of awards and was crowned as the Queen Of Gospel Music.She was the hostess of the TV show that airs in SABC 2  It’s Gospel Time. In 2013 she was one of the judges in Clash of Choirs South Africa . She sang a song about the unrest of Apartheid in the 80’s.

3.Yvonne Chaka Chaka

Recently she won herself an award at the BET Awards in June. She was the first Black child to appear on South African television in 1981, her music is listened to and love by people from across Africa.She has shared the stage with Mirriam Makeba. She has performed for US President Bill Clinton and The Queen Of England. Her genre of specialty is Pop.

4.Buselaphi Gxowa

She’s from the female Maskandi group Imithente, she is a self-proclaimed Queen Of Maskandi music. Buselaphi has been in the industry for over 2 decades. She has won a number of awards and is loved by many people who are fans of Maskandi Music.

5.Brenda Fassie

The list wouldn’t be complete without her, Brenda also rose into fame in the 80’s. Some of her songs were banned by the Apartheid government as they stated her feelings and thoughts about the situations she stood to be against, The oppression and abuse of blacks. Her music career was going well, she was loved by many until the pressure got to her and she became addicted to cocaine, in 2004 she passed on. To remember her they made a platinum statue in Bassline a music venue in Johannesburg. Her genre of specialty was Afro Pop.