Biography
Born around 1943 in Natal, Thobekile grew up in Durban, where school introduced her to singing, dancing, and the playing of mbira alongside umqangala. Professional dance soon followed, taking her on international tours as a member of African Follies. Travels through other African nations brought her to Zimbabwe, then still Rhodesia, where marriage to a British man named Webster resulted in deportation for both to England.
London engagements began in 1971 with her role as a singer in Ipi Tombi, a production that occupied most of the decade. Additional stage work included The Pied Piper Of Hamelin and Poppie Nongena, while she co-established the all-female dance ensemble Shikisha. Remaining London-based, she directed cultural initiatives in local schools and extended comparable programs across Europe and North America. Several years of performance with Transglobal Underground yielded multiple recordings and appearances at WOMAD events worldwide. In 2004 she joined the cast of The Playground for London’s Black History month. Her material draws primarily from Zulu traditions and influences drawn from further afield, all blended with township pop from South Africa.
London engagements began in 1971 with her role as a singer in Ipi Tombi, a production that occupied most of the decade. Additional stage work included The Pied Piper Of Hamelin and Poppie Nongena, while she co-established the all-female dance ensemble Shikisha. Remaining London-based, she directed cultural initiatives in local schools and extended comparable programs across Europe and North America. Several years of performance with Transglobal Underground yielded multiple recordings and appearances at WOMAD events worldwide. In 2004 she joined the cast of The Playground for London’s Black History month. Her material draws primarily from Zulu traditions and influences drawn from further afield, all blended with township pop from South Africa.
Albums