PJ Powers (born 16 July 1960, Durban) is a South African singer and performer. She became a household name in southern Africa after the widespread success of the song “Jabulani”. When she played at the Jabulani Amphitheatre in 1983 she was hailed by the crowd with the name “Thandeka”. On the stage she drank from a calabash as part of the performance to the delight of the audience. World in Union 95, the Ladysmith Black Mambazo version featuring PJ Powers, became an international hit record in 1995. It reached no. 47 in the UK singles charts. P J Powers garnered attention for her human rights advocacy, philanthropy, and activism against apartheid. Early life and career PJ Powers was born in Durban, Natal Province (now in KwaZulu-Natal), South Africa on 16 July 1960. Her singing career kicked off in 1979 when she became the lead singer of an all female group called Pantha. It disbanded after a year. PJ Powers went on to front a new band, Hotline. Their sound, afro-pop fusion music framing PJ Powers' distinctive voice, attracted an expanded, cross cultural fan base. The band lasted for seven years and produced some of the biggest local hits of the 1980s. The formula of young, energetic musicians performing vibrant music in all areas was well accepted by their youthful target audience. PJ was then given the name Thandeka meaning "Loved One" by the people of South Africa, a name she continued to hold true to her heart. Hotline took music to the people. This increased their popularity and grew their fan base in the neighbouring countries of Botswana, Mozambique and Namibia. Combining music that people could dance to with messages of hope and reconciliation was different to what was played on the radio at the time. “You're so good to me” (1982) written by PJ Powers was her first big hit. Powers followed up by writing some hits such as I Feel So Strong (1983 duet with Steve Kekana), Home to Africa (1985), There Is an Answer (1986) Hotline disbanded in 1987 and subsequently Powers pursued a solo career. Solo career 1988: P.J Powers was. banned from radio and TV for a year by the apartheid government for her performance at a charity concert for war orphans in Zimbabwe, along with Miriam Makeba and Harry Belafonte. She was encouraged to continue her singing by Nelson Mandela, who sent her an