Nkalakatha heralded a new dawn of hope for SA youth

• Published date: 02 July 2021
• Publication title: Sowetan (Johannesburg, South Africa)

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After decades of turmoil during apartheid and the political violence of the 1990s, Y2K flew in solid with the smash hit Nkalakatha by kwaito superstar Mandoza.

We had safely made it to a new millennium and a hope-filled youth wanted to party.

The song, which according to award-winning producer Gabi le Roux was made just weeks after the birth of Mandoza’s son Tokollo, was produced while the musician was at his happiest. It became an anthem in all households and parties across SA and it’s arguably the biggest crossover song to come out of the country. With his deep, gravelly, distinct voice and signature sunglasses, Mandoza made sure we knew that kwaito was still there to stay.

“Till today, you go to any bar mitzvah, a wedding or office party and Nkalakatha will be played. It doesn’t matter your race. The song had a rock feel that appealed to people and, of course, his voice was loved,” commented Le Roux.

Nkalakatha was one of the first crossover kwaito songs that was played on predominantly white radio stations of the time such as 5FM, making Mandoza one of the biggest superstars. A quick YouTube search 21 years later pulls up a wedding video where an old white man is seriously getting down to the song.

Though most of us know the star because of the record, he rightfully wanted to be known for his body of work that included being a part of the legendary group Chiskop, which he founded with his childhood friends Sibusiso Thanjekwayo, Siphiwe “The General GTZ” Sibisi and Sizwe Motaung.

The 2000s epoch brought music that was hot and musicians such as Freshly Ground, Malaika, Mafikizolo, Prokid and Zola found their feet and audience.

It was Prokid’s hip-hop song Ungaphel’ Umoya Son that showed us that despite the success some in our communities were enjoying in the new SA, the majority of black people were still facing the consequences of brutal apartheid legacy.

“Ungaphel’ Umoya Son... ey this one is ‘specially dedicated to you out there suffering... Letting you know that sisonke’,” Pro famously rapped.

Zola’s impact also cannot be denied. His music discography from Umdlwembe and Bhambatha, to being the sound behind Oscar-winning movie Tsotsi, to his work on television with shows such as Zola 7 and television drama series Yizo Yizo makes him an arts and culture icon in his own...