Jacob Radebe
Jacob Radebe, professionally known as Mpharanyana (16 April 1948 – 21 August 1979), was a South African singer-songwriter and guitarist. His music is often classified as jazz, fusion, disco, soul and mbaqanga. Radebe's compositions were primarily in Sesotho but he would occasionally sing in English.
Also recorded as Mpharanyana
Jacob Radebe
- Born
- 1948 · Dukathole.
- Died
- 1979
- Nationality
- South Africa
- Occupation
- singer · lead vocalist · artist · musician · songwriter
- Languages
- English
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Documentary evidence
Documentary basis
Authority files
wikidata · Q100807882 · wikipedia · Mpharanyana
In this article
Career
Radebe was born in Katlehong in the East Rand and his interest in music was sparked at an early age. He was considered one of the most powerful voices in township soul. In Springs he performed with The Peddlars and in Katlehong he was the lead singer of The Weavelets. One of the members of this band was Lloyd Lelosa, who later played keyboards for Stimela. During the 60's until his death Radebe worked with a number of popular Southern African musicians including Ray Chikapa Phiri and West Nkosi with whom he formed the band The Cannibals. He was known for coughing while singing. He had a chronic cough, which producers would previously edit out, but was later made into a kind of musical trademark.
Discography
• Mpharanyana and The Cannibals - Ulunywa Izinja (1979) • Mpharanyana and The Peddlers - Morena Re Thuse Kaofela (1978) • Mpharanyana and The Peddlers - Hela Ngwanana (1978) • Mpharanyana and The Cannibals - Zion Soul (1976) • Mpharanyana and The Cannibals - Nka Nako Ho Motseba (1978) • Mpharanyana and The Cannibals - Get Funky (1979) • Mpharanyana and The Cannibals - Highland Drifter (Song composed by Ray Phiri in 1973)
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- “Mpharanyana”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q100807882: Jacob Radebe
General reference · Wikidata
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Part of the biographical narrative on this page reuses licensed material. Its origin, revision and licence are recorded here.
The biographical narrative on this page is based on the Wikipedia article Mpharanyana, revision 1329467786 (EN edition), by its contributors. VALÉORINE has edited that text and built its own documentary record around it. The reused material is available under CC BY-SA 4.0, and this page's reuse of it is offered under the same licence. Everything else on this page — the chronology, the holdings, the evidence, the plates and the connections — is VALÉORINE's own record. Sources and licences.
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General reference
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 19 August 2026.
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