Matodzi Irene Mawela, born on March 3, 1940, is a revered South African vocalist and composer whose musical career spans over six decades, beginning in the late 1950s. Raised in Soweto within a Venda family, Mawela encountered the complexities of apartheid-era schooling, attending a Sesotho-language institution due to discriminatory policies against her ethnic group.
Irene Mawela
| Born | 3 March 1940 Soweto, South Africa |
|---|---|
| Genres | World, African, Mbaqanga |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Years active | 1957– present |
| Labels | EMI, Troubadour Records, Trutone Records, Teal, Gallo-Mavuthela, Umsakazo Records |
Biography
Her musical journey ignited when she joined the girl group “The Sweet Voices” as a teenager, catching the eye of talent scout Rupert Bopape. At 17, she inked a contract with EMI South Africa, kickstarting her prolific career. Initially contributing to the lineup of the Dark City Sisters, Mawela soon became a cornerstone of mbaqanga music, collaborating with luminaries like Mahlathini (Simon Nkabinde) and recording over 1,000 tracks for both studio albums and radio broadcasts.
A trailblazer, Mawela shattered barriers by becoming the first artist to produce popular music in the Tshivenda language, defying industry norms that marginalized non-commercial dialects. Despite early restrictions, her pioneering Tshivenda single proved to be a commercial triumph, paving the way for further linguistic diversity in South African music.
Transitioning to Gallo Africa’s Mavuthela subsidiary in the 1970s, Mawela’s influence on mbaqanga burgeoned. Collaborating with esteemed acts like the Mahotella Queens and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, she helped shape the genre’s evolution while earning accolades such as the esteemed Nambi ya Dzinambi award from SABC/Radio Venda.
In the late 1980s, Mawela shifted focus to her family, retreating from the limelight until her triumphant return in the 21st century. Recognized as a National Living Treasure by the National Heritage Council and bestowed with the prestigious Order of Ikhamanga, Mawela’s contributions to South African culture endure as a testament to her enduring legacy.
Discography
- 1982: Khanani Yanga
- 1983: Mme Anga Khotsi Anga
- 1983: Hao Nkarabe
- 2004: O Mohau
- 2007: Tlhokomela Sera
- 2012: Africa 5
- 2016: Pembelani
- 2017: Ari Pembele: Let’s Rejoice
- 2019: The Best of the SABC Years (1982–88)
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