EXCLUSIVE: Do SA Legends Still Matter?: King of Disco Mpho Majiga Speaks Out!

What happened?

How did we get here?

And more painfully… why are we here?

There was a time when South African music did not just play in the background of life — it was life. It filled shebeens, radios, weddings, taxis, and Sunday afternoons when the world felt softer. Voices like those of Nana Coyote carried songs that became memory itself — songs people still hum long after the silence of his passing.

There was also the soulful presence of artists like Suthukazi Arosi, whose music once moved hearts with a depth that felt almost spiritual — yet today, their names are often spoken more in remembrance than in celebration.

Hit songs once echoed through the country — the kind of music that made people pause what they were doing just to listen. But now… something feels different. Something feels lost.

And the question lingers in the air like a fading chorus:

Do South African legends still matter today?

Because somewhere between the applause and the passing of time, some of these giants left the world not in glory… but in struggle. And it leaves us wondering — how does a nation that once sang with them, now forget them so easily?

In the middle of this reflection stands a man who has seen it all — the rise, the golden era, and the silence that followed.

Mpho Majiga, known as the King of Disco, is not just a legendary musician. He is a witness. A voice still standing from the era when legends were not just celebrated — they were felt. He performed in the same heartbeat of time as many of those who are now gone, and today, he remains to speak about what remains of their legacy.

Beyond his own music career, Mpho Majiga also shared stages and performed with iconic groups such as Splash and Matshikos, during the era of the late Dan Tshanda — another great name whose music helped define a generation.

In this exclusive Q&A with Africa Jamz FM News, the king of Disco opens up about the state of South African music legends — their recognition, their struggles, and whether their contributions still hold weight in today’s world.

And what he shares… is not just opinion. It is memory. It is truth. It is lived experience.

Let’s hear what he had to say:

1. Mpho, as a legend yourself, do you believe South African music legends are still valued and recognised today the way they were in their prime?

“My ‘NO’ is in big words and coming from a painful heart. If they were valued, obviously they were not going to die poor. It’s amazing how people even talk about them when they are broke or die poor instead of helping them. Even when events are done for their benefit, it’s a pity that the organisers do so to milk it for their own flashy lives. It’s done with a selfish purpose. I am blessed enough to have worked with legends in different genres, and while I am still continuing, it’s really sad that many legends are suffering, and it pains me when you remember how they were in their prime.

“The same way our government takes care of our seniors, I believe they should be doing something to sustain our legends. Many even fought apartheid through their beautiful songs. During tough days, they were not afraid to raise their voices through the beautiful art of music. While music representative companies do not care, at least the government was supposed to intervene. In Venda, we have a saying that says, ‘The old ones are pillars of the young ones.’

“Look, their hits are still making an impact while they are suffering. Some are declared dead before their time because the community forgot about them. We should have two or three benefit shows a year and make sure they get what they deserve. We must embrace them. I like how legendary musician Freddie Gwala and legendary musician Jacqueline have stood up and are performing locally without the community judging them for being old. How many young stars are running to remix old music but regard the original artists as over the hill? I call for everyone to respect our legends and give them the honor they deserve. Radios must push their music, and music representatives must not rob them too,” said Mpho.

2. You were part of an era where artists like Nana Coyote and others shaped the sound of the nation. What do you think changed between then and now?

“I am below 50 years; however, I worked with many legends at a young age, and now I am working with both legends who are still in the game and many young stars. Creativity was at its best in those days. Now technology is at its best; we have artificial intelligence. They would spend time in rehearsals. I remember when the late, legendary Lucky Dube would leave the band practicing a small piece of a bridge or dynamic. They would continue even after lunch.

“The passion and pride of making it through human effort was out of this world.Today, we can get in the studio and, overnight, a song is released. The legends would argue for months, coming up with different concepts and ideas; hence their hits were not one-year or three-month wonders,” said Mpho.

3. Many people feel that legends are celebrated more after they pass on than while they are alive. Do you agree with that, and why do you think that happens?

“Yes, it’s a pity, hey. Why can’t we celebrate them when they are still alive, when they are still able to feel our warmth of love and appreciation? That’s pretending, actually—we can’t say we are celebrating them while they can’t see it. Let’s learn to appreciate them now!,” said Mpho.

4. In your opinion, are South African music legends getting enough support from the industry and government in terms of financial stability and recognition?

“In my opinion, in fact, the truth is that they are not getting enough support because the government can’t even show appreciation to those who were singing struggle songs—those who gave us hope that freedom would come one day. The least the government, together with the music industry, can do is to have a monthly allowance and arrange dignified funerals for late legends. I am sure some even get stressed about how they will be sent off in case they pass on. As I said earlier, unfortunately, the wrong people benefit because of corruption. Wrong people enjoy royalties,” said Mpho.

5. If you could speak directly to the younger generation of artists and the country itself, what would you want them to understand about protecting and honouring musical legends?

“With young artists, it starts with respect, you know. General respect has lost its value in the days we are living in. Many superstars struggle to stay humble during success, and as a result, it’s not easy respecting seniors. Just like in soccer, a good team is one that has younger players respecting and listening to older ones. The young ones must not only run to remix the elders’ songs; they must respect them too. I have realised, though, that while people no longer value them, they still enjoy their music too much.

“I also advise the country not to just enjoy their music; however, they must continue to value them as individuals and support them. Yes, the main responsibility, to me, remains with our leaders—our government. The government should come up with a way of making our legends feel special while they are still alive. As I speak, there are legends who can’t even listen to their own songs. It hurts because no one remembers them. The country should repent in how we see and value our legends. We can’t be judging them; instead, we must embrace them,” said Mpho.

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