PJ Powers

Penelope Jane Dunlop, also known as PJ Powers or Thandeka, has enjoyed a highly successful musical career spanning more than 3 decades, during which time she has been one of the few entertainers who has crossed cultural barriers and been loved by both black and white audiences alike. PJ Powers has recorded 15 albums and is well known for her UK chart hit World In Union (with Ladysmith Black Mambazo) in 1995.

Born in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, Penelope joined the all-girl group called Pantha as front singer when it was formed in 1979. She later became the lead singer for the afro-rock band Hotline, who formed in Johannesburg in 1980 and disbanded in 1987.

SOLO CAREER
1988 saw PJ banned from radio and TV for a year by the apartheid government, after performing at a charity concert for war orphans in Zimbabwe, together with Miriam Makeba and Harry Belafonte. She was encouraged to continue her singing by Nelson Mandela, who sent her a letter from Victor Verster Prison in Cape Town.  In 1995, she had a hit on the UK charts, together with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, with the song World in Union which she sang at the opening of the Rugby World Cup in Johannesburg for an audience of millions from around the world.  In the '90s her music took on a more Afro-pop focus, finding a receptive audience in the black market, and she took on the nickname Thandeka, "the loved one".

She wrote some of her biggest herself; these include Jabulani, Feel so strong, You're so good to me, There is an answer, and Home to Africa, many of which strongly reflect her patriotism. PJ has shared the stage with Eric Clapton, Joan Armatrading, Hugh Masekela, Divine Divas, Lord Richard Attenborough, Richard E. Grant, Sibongile Khumalo, Janet Suzman and numerous other big international names.  She has performed for royalty including Queen Elizabeth, King Juan Carlos of Spain and Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. She sang at the inauguration of President Nelson Mandela and at the 1995 Rugby World Cup. PJ collaborated with Vicky Sampson, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and M'du Masilela for the music video flighted at the United Nation¹s Assembly in Washington DC and in Greece. PJ also wrote an 85th birthday song for Nelson Mandela, which she sang for him and guests including Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey at his party in 2003.