Harari

The Beaters formed in 1965 and became Harari in 1976, when they made a decision to create a mix of African and black American music, in part influenced by a shift towards a black consciousness philosophy. Harari became a very successful disco-funk fusion band.

They had a big hit with “Party” off the equally successful Heatwave album in 1980.

They released their final studio album Bad Boys in 1986. Their most successful line-up (late 70s until 1981) was: Sipho Mabuse on drums, Alec Khaoli on bass, Oupa Segwai and Branny Ledwaba on percussion, Thelma Segonah on keyboards, Masike Mohape on lead guitar, Eddie Manda on guitar.

Sipho Mabuse

Drummer, saxophonist, vocalist, songwriter. He began his career as the drummer for the Beaters in 1968. In 1976 they changed their name to Harari.

Sipho Mabuse left Harari in 1981 in order to pursue a solo career. He initially worked with the Soweto Soul Orchestra releasing an album of that name in 1981.

His first fully-fledged solo single was ‘Rise’ (1983) but it was with ‘Burn out’ (1984) that he had his biggest hit. He released his first album Jive Soweto in 1985.

He released several studio albums over the next decade but has since mostly performed and released live albums.

In the later 1990s and early 2000s he was the owner and manager of the Kippies Jazz venue in Newtown, Johannesburg.

Soweto Soul Orchestra

Formed in 1981 by Sipho Mabuse, to record just one album – Soweto Soul Orchestra – which was a prelude to Mabuse’s solo career.

He used a variety of musicians including vocalist Malie Kelly on the track “Take It Easy”.

It was a one-off exercise and thereafter Mabuse left Harari and pursued a solo career proper.