Steve Kekana
Birth nameTebogo Steve Kekana
Born(1958-08-04)4 August 1958
Zebediela, Transvaal, South Africa
OriginZebediela, Transvaal, South Africa
Died1 July 2021(2021-07-01) (aged 62)
Johannesburg, South Africa
GenresMbaqanga, Soul, Pop, R&B, Jazz
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active1977–2021
LabelsImpangela Music

Tebogo Steve Kekana (4 August 1958 – 1 July 2021)[1] was a South African singer and songwriter. He began his musical career in the 1980s. He attended and completed his studies at UNISA.[2]

Life and career

Kekana was born in Zebediela, Transvaal. He lost his sight at the age of five, and attended a school for the blind in Pietersburg. During his school years, he developed a love for singing, and became a member of amateur groups during the teenage years.

In 1979 and 1980, Kekana won what was then known as the SABC Black Music Award for best male vocalist. Kekana's "Raising My Family" was a big hit in Europe in 1980. In total, Kekana had recorded more than forty albums.[3] His songs "The Bushman" and "Feel So Strong" (featuring Hotline) were hits on the Springbok Radio Chart (the semi-official South African chart of the time) reaching number 13 and number 6 in 1982 and 1983 respectively.[4]

He worked with the likes of Ray Phiri, Nana Coyote, Joe Nina and Hotline featuring PJ Thandeka Powers.

Steve Kekana was a university graduate with B Juris and LLB degrees. He was an Advocate and a lecturer in Labour Law at the University of South Africa.

Kekana died from COVID-19-related complications on 1 July 2021, at the age of 62.

Awards and honours

Period Honour / Award
1978-2021 Received more than 70 Golden Disc Awards
1980 The Best Male Vocalist Award (Radio Zulu)
1984 The Four Outstanding Young South African (FOYSA) Award[5]
1985 The Ten Outstanding Young People of the World (TOYP) Award
1986 The OKTV award
2010 Mama Bheka Community Awards
2018 SAMA Lifetime Achievement Award (SAMA 24)

Discography

Albums

Year Title Label (original issue)
1977 Steve Kekana His Master's Voice
1979 Nomsa Ntombi Yami His Master's Voice
1979 Mokhotse Oa Hao EMI
1980 Umenziwa Akakhalelwa EMI
1980 Iphupho EMI
1980 Thapelo EMI
1981 Isiko Lwabe Suthu Bullet
1981 Raising My Family EMI
1981 Kodua Ea Maseru EMI
1982 Ifuqe Mntanami (Push) Steve Kekana
1982 Not Going Back CCP Record Company
1982 Hare Khumameng Gallo Record Company
1982 Amandla Amasha Gallo Record Company
1983 Alone in The Desert Steve Records
1984 Yintle Lento Steve Records
1985 Third Time Lucky CBS / Steve Records
1986 Ngiyadlisa Steve Kekana
1985 Siwelele Gallo Record Company
1986 Love Triangle Steve Kekana
1986 Bull Dozer Steve Kekana
1987 Sebabatso Steve Kekana
1987 Lindani Gallo Record Company
1988 Makhombo Steve Kekana
1988 I Shall Be Released EMI
1989 Faith, Love and Respect EMI
1996 Usafira Cool Spot Productions
2001 Icilongo Cool Spot Music
2003 African Lady Sony Music
2009 Ha Ke Le Tje EMI / CCP Record Company
2009 Isithombe Sami EMI / CCP Record Company
2014 Risen Next Music
2018 Ubuntu Sold Out Music

Compilations

Year Title Label (original issue)
1997 Golden Hits Vol 1 Cool Spot Music
1997 Golden Hits Vol 2 Cool Spot Music
1999 The English Album Gallo Record Company
1999 The Best of Steve Kekana (Sotho) EMI
2002 The Best of Steve Kekana (Zulu) EMI
2011 SA Great Performers Gallo Record Company
2015 Greatest Moments Gallo Record Company
2013 Colours of Africa Gallo Record Company

Singles and EPs

Year Title Label (original issue)
1978 Mamsy / Bolova'’ His Master's Voice[6]
1978 Rosemary / Sweet Jane His Master's Voice[7]
1978 Themba His Master's Voice
1979 Nomsa Ntombi Yami His Master's Voice
1979 Aka Zenzanga (U Mary) / Uqhoka Amasudi His Master's Voice[8]

Biography

  • By Sydney Fetsie Maluleke (2019); Foreword by Max Mojapelo Steve Kekana: The I In Me, Protea Book House ISBN 978-0-639-81470-4[9][10]

References

  1. ↑ Emmanuel Tjiya (1 July 2021). "Breaking: Legendary musician Steve Kekana has died". Sowetan Live. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  2. ↑ Mojapelo, Max (18 March 2009). Beyond Memory: Recording the History, Moments and Memories of South African Music. African Minds. p. 27. ISBN 978-1-920299-28-6. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
  3. ↑ "www.music.org.za". Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  4. ↑ "www.rock.co.za". Retrieved 24 August 2013.
  5. ↑ Mojapelo, Max (1 July 2008). Beyond Memory: Recording the History, Moments and Memories of South African Music. African Minds. ISBN 9781920299286 – via Google Books.
  6. ↑ "Mamsy / Bolovai". Discogs. Discogs.com. 1978. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  7. ↑ "Rosemary / Sweet Janei". Discogs. Discogs.com. 1978. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  8. ↑ "Aka Zenzanga (U Mary) / Uqhoka Amasudi". Discogs. Discogs.com. 1979. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  9. ↑ "Steve Kekana: The I In Me (Paperback): Sydney Fetsie Maluleke: 9780639814704 | Books | Buy online in South Africa from". Loot.co.za. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  10. ↑ "Steve Kekana: The I In Me (Paperback)". BookHub. 25 November 2019.
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