We know them as the four-man kingship, which consisted of group members Zynne ‘Mahoota’ Sibika, Mandla ‘Spikiri’, Mofokeng, Eugene ‘Donald Duck’ Mthethwa, and Jairus ‘Jakarumba’ Nkwe. They gave us the sounds that are still considered township anthems today, as well as their national hit from the 1990s, Magasman, which featured the late Lebo Mathosa. Trompies not only gave us bright colours and an electrical dance genre, but their music was a direct documentation of their audiences’ lives in the townships, and from this, they taught the rest of South Africa about a new culture that would soon steal the show.

This talented group was housed under the Kalawa Jazmee record label, and as a result of their management and respect for the group’s Mapantsula roots, the group was able to flourish in the South African music industry. After almost two decades of enjoying their fresh and true sounds of the township flag carriers, the group ceased to produce the sounds for which they were so well-known, and went silent for nearly five years.

I can honestly say that their absence in the industry has been felt immensely, even as the Kwaito genre has gradually made its way into mainstream genres such as Hip Hop, but nothing has been able to give the genre the authentic and storytelling edge that their pioneering sound possessed.

Now, on a much lighter and happier note, it gives me great pleasure to inform Y-Not readers that the group has returned to the music scene, and we can only hope that their well-deserved rest will result in them bringing us newer, fresher sounds while still retaining all of the kasi reflective attributes that they once graced the industry and listeners with.

Without a doubt, their return is cause for celebration here at Y-Not, as well as in the South African music industry. As a generation, we owe it to giants like these who have remained faithful to documenting South Africa’s development in all of its facets. So, at this point, all we have to do is wait for their new material to dominate radio playlists and our personal sound archives.