Simon “Mahlathini” Nkabinde born somewhere in the year 1937 or 1938, was a South African mbaqanga singer. Known as the “Lion of Soweto”, Nkabinde is the acknowledged exponent of the deep-voiced, basso profundo “groaning” style that came to symbolize mbaqanga music in the 1960s.
Are the Mahotella Queens still alive?
In spite of the deaths of Mahlathini, Marks Mankwane and West Nkosi during the late 1990s, the Mahotella Queens continue to perform and record in the 21st century. In 2013, long-serving member Mildred Mangxola retired from the group. She was replaced by a new recruit, Amanda Nkosi. Nobesuthu Mbadu died in 2021
Hilda Tloubatla is the last original member left of the iconic group Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens.
When her bandmates started getting ill and were unable to do any live performances, Hilda Tloubatla (77) replaced Mildred Mangxola with young singer Amanda Ntuli (35).
The other bandmate, Nobesuthu Mbadu passed on in September at Thelle Mogoerane due to kidney failure and was replaced by Nonkululeko Maseko.
Mahotella Queens now has two new younger members who are excited to be part of the historic group.
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