Simon “Mahlathini” Nkabinde born somewhere in the year 1937 or 1938, was a South African mbaqanga singer.
Nkabinde was also a very active live performer in South Africa, recording and performing with the Mahotella Queens and the backing Makgona Tsohle Band from 1964 to 1971, and then again from 1983 to 1999. The Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens act was propelled into international stardom in the wake of Paul Simon’s 1986 Graceland album.
Mahlathini Simon Nkabinde’s four decades of music-making ended with his premature death, due to a long-standing diabetic condition, in July 1999.
Mahlathini top songs
Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens had a lot of songs and had a successful career together, Some of their songs include, Kazet, Mbube, Im in Love with a Rastaman, Mbanqunga, Umthakathi, Awuthule Kancane, Jive Motella, Nyamphemphe, Melodi Ya Lla, Nina Majuba and many more.
Mahlathini awards
In 2000, Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens received the second annual WOMEX (Worldwide Music Expo) Award, presented for outstanding contribution to world music.