caption years_active article_title background genre image origin name |label
mahlathini l to r -rrb- : hilda tloubatla , mahlathini , and nobesuthu mbadu , and mildred mangxola . the mahotella queens , 1988 . -lrb- 1964 -- 1972 1987 -- 1999 mahlathini and the mahotella queens
 group_or_band mbaqanga , mgqashiyo file : mahlathini mahotella queens.jpg johannesburg , south africa mahlathini and the mahotella queens gallo world/polygram records record company -lrb- 1964 -- 1999 -rrb- verve
mahlathini and the mahotella queens

mahlathini and the mahotella queens -lrb- also known as mahlathini nezintombi zomgqashiyo -- mahlathini and the girls of mgqashiyo -rrb- was a south african `` mbaqanga '' supergroup made up of the three musical acts linked together by talent scout and record producer rupert bopape at the gallo recording company in johannesburg , south africa in 1964 ; composed of the following : the late simon ` mahlathini ' nkabinde -lrb- 1937 -- 1999 -rrb- , a phenomenal singer in the `` basso-profundo '' ` groaning ' style the girl group mahotella queens -lrb- 1964 -- present -rrb- , known for their fast-paced dancing and multi-part harmonies the instrumental team makgona tsohle band -lrb- 1964 -- 1999 -rrb- , led by electric lead guitarist marks mankwane and alto saxophonist west nkosi .
they were successfully popular in and around south africa 1964 -- 72 -- but found international success 1987 -- 97 , notably at the 70th birthday tribute to nelson mandela at london 's wembley arena in 1988 , going onto feature in many international festivals .
