Steve Kekana
# Steve Kekana

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

## 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. 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.

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 |
| 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 |
| 1978 | Rosemary / Sweet Jane | His Master's Voice |
| 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 |

## 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
