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 PeriodHonour / Award1978-2021Received more than 70 Golden Disc Awards1980The Best Male Vocalist Award (Radio Zulu)1984The Four Outstanding Young South African (FOYSA) Award1985The Ten Outstanding Young People of the World (TOYP) Award1986The OKTV award2010Mama Bheka Community Awards2018SAMA Lifetime Achievement Award (SAMA 24)
Discography
Albums YearTitleLabel (original issue)1977Steve KekanaHis Master's Voice1979Nomsa Ntombi YamiHis Master's Voice1979Mokhotse Oa HaoEMI1980Umenziwa AkakhalelwaEMI1980IphuphoEMI1980ThapeloEMI1981Isiko Lwabe SuthuBullet1981Raising My FamilyEMI1981Kodua Ea MaseruEMI1982Ifuqe Mntanami (Push)Steve Kekana1982No Going BackCCP Record Company1982Hare KhumamengGallo Record Company1982Amandla AmashaGallo Record Company1983Alone in The DesertSteve Records1984Yintle LentoSteve Records1985Third Time LuckyCBS / Steve Records1986NgiyadlisaSteve Kekana1985SiweleleGallo Record Company1986Love TriangleSteve Kekana1986Bull DozerSteve Kekana1987SebabatsoSteve Kekana1987LindaniGallo Record Company1988MakhomboSteve Kekana1988I Shall Be ReleasedEMI1989Faith, Love and RespectEMI1996UsafiraCool Spot Productions2001IcilongoCool Spot Music2003African LadySony Music2009Ha Ke Le TjeEMI / CCP Record Company2009Isithombe SamiEMI / CCP Record Company2014RisenNext Music2018UbuntuSold Out Music
Compilations YearTitleLabel (original issue)1997Golden Hits Vol 1Cool Spot Music1997Golden Hits Vol 2Cool Spot Music1999The English AlbumGallo Record Company1999The Best of Steve Kekana (Sotho)EMI2002The Best of Steve Kekana (Zulu)EMI2011SA Great PerformersGallo Record Company2015Greatest MomentsGallo Record Company2013Colours of AfricaGallo Record Company
Singles and EPs YearTitleLabel (original issue)1978Mamsy / BolovaHis Master's Voice1978Rosemary / Sweet JaneHis Master's Voice1978ThembaHis Master's Voice1979Nomsa Ntombi YamiHis Master's Voice1979Aka Zenzanga (U Mary) / Uqhoka AmasudiHis Master's Voice
Biography By Sydney Fetsie Maluleke (2019); Foreword by Max Mojapelo Steve Kekana: The I In Me, Protea Book House
References
External links The melody of freedom | South African History Online Steve Kekana to receive SAMA24 lifetime achievement award
Disabled government official becomes a joint winner of South African Music Awards (SAMA) | South African Government #SAMA 24 to honour Spokes H, Steve Kekana, Mbongeni Ngema Steve Kekana Steve Kekana on Apple Music Steve Kekana Steve Kekana performing at the 702 Concert in the Park in 1985 Galaxy of Stars: Steve Kekana with Mafikizolo Putting Popular Music in Its Place swedishcharts.com - Hotline with P. J. Powers and Steve Kekana - Feel So Strong swedishcharts.com - Swedish Charts Portal Steve Kekana - I Shall Be Released Advocate Steve Kekana Takes Over the Reins at JHB Society for the Blind