Dolly Rathebe
Encyclopedia
Dolly Rathebe (1928–2004) was a South Africa
n musician and actress.
Dolly Rathebe was born in Randfontein (west of Krugersdorp) in South Africa but grew up in Sophiatown which she describes as having been "a wonderful place". She was discovered around 1948 after singing at a picnic in Johannesburg
. A talent scout from Gallo
approached her and it wasn't long before she became a star.
She rose to fame in 1949 aged 19 when she appeared as a nightclub singer in the British-produced movie, Jim Comes To Jo'burg - the first film to portray urban Africans in a positive light.
During a photo-shoot for Drum magazine at a mine dump, Dolly and the white photographer, Jürgen Schadeberg
were arrested under the Immorality Act
, which forbade interracial relationships.
When Alf Herbert's African Jazz and Variety show opened in 1954, Dolly appeared and stayed as Herbert's main attraction for many years. She became an international star when she sang with the Afro-jazz group, the Elite Swingsters in 1964.
After Sophiatown was flattened by the Apartheid government in the late 1950s and early 1960s, Rathebe found it more and more difficult to perform, especially after an 8pm curfew
was imposed. She moved with her family to Cape Town
township
, and to survive, ran a shebeen
for many years.
In 1989 she re-united with the Elite Swingsters to perform in a film that was set in 1950s Johannesburg.
The group stayed together, issuing a new album, Woza, in 1991. This was followed by two more albums, A Call for Peace (1995) and Siya Gida/We Dance (1997).
In her latter years Rathebe was a leading light in Pretoria
's Ikageng Women's League. In 2001 she received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the South African Music Awards
.
She funded the construction of a multi-purpose hall at Sofasonke village near Klipgat, north of Pretoria. The hall is named Meriting kwaDolly, which means Dolly's Retreat.
In 2003, at the age of 75, Dolly appeared in a Johannesburg show, Sof'Town, A Celebration!, where she sang "Randfontein", the story of a drunk miner returning home to find his wife in bed with another man, who is then beaten and chased out.
She was awarded the South African Order of Ikhamanga in Silver for her excellent contribution to music and the performing arts and commitment to the ideals of justice, freedom and democracy in 2004.
Dolly Rathebe died on 16 September 2004 from a stroke.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n musician and actress.
Dolly Rathebe was born in Randfontein (west of Krugersdorp) in South Africa but grew up in Sophiatown which she describes as having been "a wonderful place". She was discovered around 1948 after singing at a picnic in Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
. A talent scout from Gallo
Gallo
Gallo can mean:*related to Gaul, as in Gallo-Roman culture*Gallo language, a regional language of France*Gallo , from Guatemala*Gallo Matese, a commune of 761 inhabitants in the province of Caserta, Italy...
approached her and it wasn't long before she became a star.
She rose to fame in 1949 aged 19 when she appeared as a nightclub singer in the British-produced movie, Jim Comes To Jo'burg - the first film to portray urban Africans in a positive light.
During a photo-shoot for Drum magazine at a mine dump, Dolly and the white photographer, Jürgen Schadeberg
Jürgen Schadeberg
-Overview:Jürgen Schadeberg was born in Berlin in 1931. In 1950, he moved to South Africa to rejoin his family and joined Drum magazine as official photographer and layout artist....
were arrested under the Immorality Act
Immorality Act
Immorality Act was the title of two acts of the Parliament of South Africa which prohibited, amongst other things, sexual relations between white people and people of other races. The first Immorality Act, of 1927, prohibited sex between whites and blacks, until amended in 1950 to prohibit sex...
, which forbade interracial relationships.
When Alf Herbert's African Jazz and Variety show opened in 1954, Dolly appeared and stayed as Herbert's main attraction for many years. She became an international star when she sang with the Afro-jazz group, the Elite Swingsters in 1964.
After Sophiatown was flattened by the Apartheid government in the late 1950s and early 1960s, Rathebe found it more and more difficult to perform, especially after an 8pm curfew
Curfew
A curfew is an order specifying a time after which certain regulations apply. Examples:# An order by a government for certain persons to return home daily before a certain time...
was imposed. She moved with her family to Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
township
Township (South Africa)
In South Africa, the term township and location usually refers to the urban living areas that, from the late 19th century until the end of Apartheid, were reserved for non-whites . Townships were usually built on the periphery of towns and cities...
, and to survive, ran a shebeen
Shebeen
A shebeen was originally an illicit bar or club where excisable alcoholic beverages were sold without a licence.The term has spread far from its origins in Ireland, to Scotland, Canada, the United States, England,...
for many years.
In 1989 she re-united with the Elite Swingsters to perform in a film that was set in 1950s Johannesburg.
The group stayed together, issuing a new album, Woza, in 1991. This was followed by two more albums, A Call for Peace (1995) and Siya Gida/We Dance (1997).
In her latter years Rathebe was a leading light in Pretoria
Pretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...
's Ikageng Women's League. In 2001 she received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the South African Music Awards
South African Music Awards
The South African Music Awards are an annual award ceremony, run by the Recording Industry of South Africa , where accolades are presented to members of South Africa's music industry. Winners receive a statuette is called a SAMA. The event was established in 1995...
.
She funded the construction of a multi-purpose hall at Sofasonke village near Klipgat, north of Pretoria. The hall is named Meriting kwaDolly, which means Dolly's Retreat.
In 2003, at the age of 75, Dolly appeared in a Johannesburg show, Sof'Town, A Celebration!, where she sang "Randfontein", the story of a drunk miner returning home to find his wife in bed with another man, who is then beaten and chased out.
She was awarded the South African Order of Ikhamanga in Silver for her excellent contribution to music and the performing arts and commitment to the ideals of justice, freedom and democracy in 2004.
Dolly Rathebe died on 16 September 2004 from a stroke.