Drum Magazine social history photographs, South Africa edition 971

Simon Nkabinde, Juliet, Faith, Manxola, Windy Sibeko and Julia Yendel. Not a day passes without the Mahotella Sisters being heard on the radio. A Soweto party without the sexy troupe's records being played, is unthinkable. But to most people the 'sister's are faceless voices. Drum joined Juliet and her colleagues in their recording studio and on the township platform just to see what being a recording idol means. Any five year old kid in the townships knows, or has heard of Mahlathini, whose proper name is Simon Nkabinde. This rotund, gravel-voiced lad from Orlando East has sent Mbaqanga fans into frenzies with his famous 'Sithunyiwe' and' Uyawuzwa Umoya' – two records that are selling like hot cakes. He is the only man in this group. Backing them are Marks Mankwane, on lead guitar, Wilfred Mosebi, drums, Joseph Makwela, bass guitar, and Vivian Ngubeni, rhythm guitar. The first show we went to was a performance for school.