The legendary songstress chats to us about a musical tribute to the late Thandi Klaasen, and her love for music.
By Fundiswa Nkwanyana
Courtesy of: Phambili Siyaya Arts
I’m grateful that I continue to live a life filled with music. As a 72-year-old, I still get to sing on stages even though it’s rare. Music is my first love, so I will sing for the rest of my life.
Taking part in a musical tribute called Divas of Kofifi: A Musical Tribute to Thandi Klaasen, was an honour. Singer Dorothy Masuka and I, together with a 12-piece band and three other singers, did a one-night-only tribute concert at the Joburg Theatre. Thandi was a very close friend of mine, and I’m glad that I play a role in keeping her memory alive. It is important that singers like her are not forgotten.
Nowadays, the music industry does not care about older musicians. Older singers are often sidelined; people forget that we have a wealth of knowledge that we would like to share. I have to work hard for an opportunity to sing because no one seems to care about my genre anymore.
I wish that up-and-coming musicians would care more about honing their skills instead of chasing fame. Singing is not just about being on stage and getting applause from the audience, but about working on your craft when no one is watching. I get horrified when a singer who cannot sing is celebrated!
I still miss the good old days in Sophiatown. The 1950s are an unforgettable part of my career that I will always cherish. We used to sing and dance the night away, dressed in fancy dresses. Everyone made an extra effort to look good from head to toe. That is why I still enjoy dressing up and looking good.
