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
The University of South Australia is a Public university, public research university based in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1991, it is the successor of the former South Australian Institute of Technology. Its main campuses along ...
.
Life and career
Kekana was born in
Zebediela
Zebediela is a group of villages in Capricorn District Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa. It is south-east of Polokwane, next to Lebowakgomo. It is well known for the production of citrus fruits, mainly oranges.
Zebediela was home ...
,
Transvaal
Transvaal is a historical geographic term associated with land north of (''i.e.'', beyond) the Vaal River in South Africa. A number of states and administrative divisions have carried the name ''Transvaal''.
* South African Republic (1856–1902; ...
. He lost his sight at the age of five, and attended a school for the blind in
. 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
The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) is the public broadcaster in South Africa, and provides 19 radio stations (Amplitude modulation, AM/Frequency modulation, FM) as well as 6 television broadcasts and 3 OTT Services to the general ...
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
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic.
The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever ...
-related complications on 1 July 2021, at the age of 62.
Awards and honours
Discography
Albums
Compilations
Singles and EPs
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 OnlineSteve 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 NgemaSteve KekanaSteve Kekana on Apple MusicSteve KekanaSteve Kekana performing at the 702 Concert in the Park in 1985Galaxy of Stars: Steve Kekana with MafikizoloPutting Popular Music in Its Placeswedishcharts.com - Hotline with P. J. Powers and Steve Kekana - Feel So Strongswedishcharts.com - Swedish Charts PortalSteve Kekana - I Shall Be ReleasedAdvocate Steve Kekana Takes Over the Reins at JHB Society for the Blind
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kekana, Steve
1958 births
2021 deaths
People from Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality
Northern Sotho people
21st-century South African male singers
Blind musicians
20th-century South African male singers
Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa
English-language singers from South Africa