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Yvonne Chaka Chaka
(Yvonne Machaka; 1965) was born in Dobsonville in
Soweto. She became the first Black child to appear
on South African television. In 1981 "Sugar Shack",
a talent show, introduced her to the South African
public.
Chaka Chaka started singing at 19 in 1985 when
Phil Hollis of Dephon Records discovered her in
Johannesburg. Shortly after, her debut album "I’m in
Love With a DJ", sold 35,000 copies, and the title
track became an instant hit.
Songs like "I'm burning Up", "I Cry for
Freedom", "Makoti", "Motherland" and the
ever-popular, "Umqombothi" (Traditional
beer) immediately ensured Chaka
Chaka's status as a star on South Africa's mbaqanga
music scene.
Chaka Chaka had it tough growing up. Her father
died when she was 11 and her mother, a domestic
worker, brought up three daughters on her meagre 40
Rand a month salary.
She has two diplomas from the University of
South Africa, one in adult education, another in
local government, management and administration. She
also studied speech and drama at Trinity College in
London, qualifying in 1997.
Releasing hit after hit, Chaka Chaka's
subsequent award winning albums include "Burning
Up", "Sangoma", "Who’s The Boss", "Motherland", " Be
Proud to be African", "Thank You Mr DJ", "Back on my
Feet", "Rhythm of Life", "Who's got the Power", "Bombani
( Tiko Rahini), "Power of Afrika", "Yvonne and
Friends" and "Kwenzenjani".
 Chaka
Chaka owns a limousine company together with her
husband, Dr Mandlalele Mhinga, has her own music
label and her own production company. She teaches
literacy part time at the University of South
Africa, sits on several boards of charitable
organisations and NGOs, and serves on the board of
the Johannesburg Tourism Company.
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Throughout her illustrious career Chaka
Chaka has met people like Nelson Mandela
(singing at his 85th birthday party), the
Queen of England and Oprah Winfrey.
 Chaka
Chaka's continuing legacy as "Princess of
Africa" is a testament to her connection to
everyday people as well as royalty. Whether
she is performing for Kings and Queens,
Presidents and First Ladies or corporate
concerts; she always returns to those she
loves - her fans and family of listeners in
South African cities, townships and rural
areas.
"Mama Africa",
Miriam Makeba describes
her as "my baby!", Hugh Masekela adds that
Yvonne is "my mad niece". Legends
Dolly Rathebe and Dorothy Masuka describe Yvonne's
music as "something that all should listen
to".
When asked who she admired most, Chaka
Chaka said "My mother because she has always
been there for me. My mother raised three
daughters single-handedly on a domestic
workers salary. That took great courage and
strength. She is my mentor and hero. When I
was born in 1965 in Soweto, it was during
apartheid, and those were extremely
difficult times. My dad was a great musician
who could never realize his dream. He died
when I was 11 years old. I inherited my
talent from both parents, so music has
always been in my blood .When I was little I
would strum an empty tin and blow into a
broom stick pretending it was a microphone.
I sang in church choirs. I loved singing. I
am blessed that I achieved my destiny, and
been able to accomplish what my father could
not."
Copyright
This article is licensed under the GNU
Free Documentation Licence. It uses material
from the Wikipedia article "Yvonne
Chaka Chaka"
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