WeeklySA_AdminCOLLABORATION: The Bongo Maffin star and impresario Thabiso Mogashoa strike up an impressive partnership, with both gearing to bring bigger global acts in future…
By Priscilla Malinga
Global artists are making their way to South Africa in droves each year – and local revellers are loving every minute of the international pizzazz.
Not surprisingly, the whole gamut has kept South African music fans on their toes thus far – from the recent DSTV Delicious Food and Music Festival, which brought Jason De Rulo, Jill Scott and Busta Rhymes; the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival with star-studded line-up; right up to the upcoming forthcoming attractions in the ilk of megastar R&B crooner Johnny Gill as well as music giants Kool and The Gang, Earth Wind & Fire.
What with the local music icon, Harold Matlhaku, also known as Speedy of Bongo Maffin fame and his partner Thabiso Mogashoa, also spinning their own magic as part of the organising team which recently brought megastar R & B troupe Dru Hill to these shores. Following hot on their heels is another R & B heartthrob Chris Brown, whose concert will add to the hype of the festive season on December 15, with the demand for tickets hitting fever pitch. Unfortunately, American singer and songwriter Keisha Cole has had to be moved to January 2025, due to unforeseen circumstances.
Relating the story of their partnership, Speedy says he had heard about Thabiso Mogashoa, also known as DJ Skeelo, and who owns Remoakantse Holdings, and his experience of bringing international artists in the past such as Freddie Jackson, Bebe Winans, Tevin Campbell and Karyn White, among other artist, and decided to call him. He introduced himself to him, telling him how he really admired his work and asked to join his team. Their arrangement was that he would assist Mogashoa with artists he had already on his list.
This is how Dru Hill eventually came to be listed as the main act for the Metro FM White party celebration, which happened at the Sunbet Arena Time Square in Pretoria in September. This was the beginning of a great partnership as Speedy is sure to deliver more acts through his international connections.
“I am very happy to have had such an amazing friendship for the past 25 years, which has now grown into a business,” says Speedy, referring to his friendship with Dru Hill. Speedy and Dru Hill have remained friends for more than two decades. He developed a strong bond with them after he was introduced to them by Zinzi Mandela during the 80th birthday celebration for Nelson Mandela in 1998.
A lot of International artists were invited, including Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Kenny Latimore and Bongo Maffin, among others. He has since maintained the friendship through the years.
Since then, Dru Hill has performed in South Africa twice – in 2018 and again in 2022. In September, they performed at the Sunbet Arena at Metro FM’s white party with Bongo Muffin and Zonke as supporting acts.
Bongo Maffin was an obvious choice since Speedy is part of the group and Mogashoa brought in Zonke Dikana, singer, songwriter and record producer, though Thandiswa Mazwai, vocalist for Bongo Maffin, was absent.
“We are a group whether one person is there or not,” says Speedy. “The music does not stop playing because we are missing one person”.
The plan was to remain a group whether one or two members are missing, says Speeding, adding: “Thandiswa will always be the part of our group, whether she is available or not. We love her, she is our sister”.
“Ramoakantse Holdings has been looking for someone who has very close relationships with agencies and artists in the USA, especially from the 90’s and 2000s R&B genre, and Speedy was the perfect person to partner with, as he has those types of relationships,” says Mogashoa. “The Annual All White Soul Session concert featuring Dru Hill was a big success,” he added. They were able to tap into another market as a business which is important for the growth of their business.
They are currently working on bringing more International acts for 2025, while Dru Hill is fully booked for shows internationally until next year. “We were very lucky to get Dru Hill as they are really busy and already fully booked,” said Speedy. The Dru Hill shows were all sold out.
Remoakantse Holdings started in 2012 from the bottom on a smaller scale, organising events which gradually grew its clientele, buoyed by positive feedback. They have since realised that there is a big market in South Africa and Sundays are known to be for soul and R&B chilling.
“We believe in building annual flagship events as they create annual employment and boost the Gauteng Tourism GDP,” says Mogashoa.
Speedy wants to give credit and thanks to Mogashoa for allowing him to join the business. “Big things will come when great people work together,” says Matlhaku.
