Sunday World (South Africa)

The beat goes on for Queens’ songstress

Tloubatla knew exactly what she wanted to achieve

- By Boitumelo Kgobotlo

Veteran musician Hilda Tloubatla, of the internatio­nally acclaimed mbaqanga group Mahotella Queens, had an exciting entry into the music industry, but feels it is time for the new generation to take the group to the next level.

The only surviving member from the original group comprising five singers said it is still heartbreak­ing to go into studio and realise her group memberstur­ned-friends were no longer there for rehearsals.

Together with Ethel Mngomezulu, Juliet Mozamisa, Nobesuthu Mbadu and Mildred Mbadu, Tloubatla has travelled the world and helped put South African music on the map.

However, the songstress is now left alone to train the new generation of the Queens.

She took Sunday World down memory lane, reliving her most exciting moments as a young lead singer of the group.

The songstress, born in Springs, east of Johannesbu­rg, said she always loved singing and knew at a young age that she was a great singer.

Tloubatla won competitio­ns at school and at church, where she said the congregant­s preferred her to lead the hymns.

“My family enjoyed my singing and it did not end there, almost every teacher wanted me to be part of their singing group in school. I enjoyed every moment on stage flaunting my soprano,” she explained.

“But do not assume that I knew I would be famous because we did not have the freedom back then, not everyone became who they wanted to be, and my family would shout at me every time I told them I wanted singing as a career.

“My parents and grandparen­ts were not educated, and education was all they wanted for me.”

In 1964, Tloubatla was sent to a boarding school in Hammanskra­al to complete her studies. This was in order for her to join the police force.

This was her first trip on a train and she had no clue how far the school was, but her mind was in Johannesbu­rg, where she knew the Gallo Records company was based.

“I kept on asking people where Park Station was, and they showed me. After getting off the train, I sent my luggage to school so that my parents would believe I was continuing with my education.

“It was a challenge because I was seeing these tall buildings for the first time, but I did

Education, not singing, was all that my grandparen­ts wanted for me

not worry about getting lost. I believed that my dreams would come true on that day, and they did. Upon arrival at Gallo Records’ reception area, I just said: “My name is Hilda Tloubatla and I want to sing,” said the songbird, noting that the timing was perfect.

Tloubatla said she came at a time the group was looking for a lead singer. She aced her auditions and was accepted as a member of the group on the same day.

She could not tell the truth about being a schoolgirl, but opened up to Mngomezulu, explaining that she had no place to sleep. The fellow group member offered her a place to stay at her home in Alexandra.

“That moment right there, I just told myself that I was done

with school. After a month of missing school, they sent my luggage back home,” she said, adding that her sister, who was working close to Gallo Records, had seen her in the vicinity but promised not to tell their parents.

She said she first knew of her real whereabout­s when her mom saw her in a magazine.

The group had been photograph­ed during music great Letta Mbulu’s farewell function.

However, Tloubatla still does not regret her life-changing decision. She picks her first internatio­nal trip to France with the group in 1987 as her biggest highlight.

The next highlight in line would be her turning 80 years in April and still singing.

She said: “I am grateful for the grace and the talent, but I miss my bandmates, including Rupert Bopape, the founder of the group, who also made my dream come true.

“And please remember to always chase your dreams, they are there for a reason.”

 ?? /Gallo Images ?? Decorated Hilda Tloubatla mentors the youth and sings alongside Amanda Ntuli and Nonkululek­o Maseko.
/Gallo Images Decorated Hilda Tloubatla mentors the youth and sings alongside Amanda Ntuli and Nonkululek­o Maseko.

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