EXCLUSIVE: Maxwell Mojapelo: The Man Who Saved South Africa’s Music Legacy

Before playlists became endless and music started living on screens we scroll through every day, there are few people who didn’t just witness South African music history—they preserved it. Maxwell Mojapelo is that person.

This is a true legend who has spent decades capturing the voices, stories, and moments that shaped generations of sound.

As a respected broadcaster, former station manager, music researcher, and author, Maxwell has spent years at the heart of South African radio, including leadership roles at stations such as Thobela FM. Beyond the studio, he worked closely with artists and archives to document an industry in constant evolution.

In 2008, he published his first foundational book, Beyond Memory, which documented the rich history of South African music. In 2016, he shared his personal journey in his biography, Never Say Never, and in late 2023, he released his second book, Memory Footprint, which continued his work of preserving the country’s musical legacy.

Now in this exciting and exclusive Q&A with Africa Jamz FM News, the legend himself Maxwell opens the door on his journey as a music historian, the stories that stayed with him long after the microphones went off, and why preserving South Africa’s music memory is more than writing history.

Lets hear what he had to say:

1. Bra Max, your first book, Beyond Memory, became an important archive of South African music stories and history. What inspired you to finally put those memories onto paper, and did you realise at the time how significant the book would become?

“In my 30 years radio career as a presenter of music programs, I realised the rich and vast talent of our local musicians. Very little was written about them in book form and I realised that if I don’t document their journeys, the youth and future generations would not know about them. The world would ignore them as if we are a nation without culture. Actually, I was not sure how Beyond Memory would be received by the music industry and the public because it was just my reflections on the sector from a radioman’s perspective,” said Bra Maxwell.

2. When you look back at Beyond Memory today, is there a particular artist, chapter or story that still feels especially personal or emotional to you?

“Yes, quite a few but the one that stands out for me is that of Rex Rabanye, the master keyboardist of Ikageng’s super soul band and The Teenage Lovers. Born Morake Michael Rabanye at Makweteng township in Potchefstroom on the 13th of March 1944, Rabanye learned to play the keyboards from his father, Samuel Rabanye at the age of 15 and rose to become one of the best organists in South Africa. After winning millions of hearts with his keyboard, he embarked on a colourful solo career and released many platinum hits. In 1980 he moved to Mmabatho near Mahikeng to study his B. Uris degree. Upon graduating in 1984 he relaunched his musical career by releasing his platinum hit, Onketsang.

“Maybe I should mention Rabanye’s other talent of drawing murals, an example of which can be seen on the walls of the African Methodist Church in Ikageng. What saddens me is just that such a gifted individual could be failed by his health to a point of losing his hearing. I was almost moved to tears the evening that SAMA12 honoured him with a Lifetime Achievement Award. There he was on a wheelchair receiving the award he so much deserved after inspiring a whole generation of keyboardists. That reminded me of the night Curtis Mayfield was honoured in the same manner at the Grammy Awards. Touching moments! I stood up in front of my television set and applauded. “Long live soulman! Go soulman go!” I screamed aloud. Luckily, I was alone in the house and did not have to explain myself to anyone. Sadly, on Sunday, the 10th of October 2010 the master keyboardist died of liver fibrosis in Potchefstroom aged 66,” said Bra Maxwell.

3. After the success and impact of Beyond Memory, what made you feel it was time to return with Memory Footprint years later? What conversations or unfinished stories pushed you back into writing?

“Ever since the publishing of Beyond Memory in 2008, much has changed or developed. My initial motivation to write it was to celebrate our musicians’ efforts in paving a way for future generations. Sixteen years later, there has been a lot of developments in terms of music releases, technology, trends and recognition. However, the biggest negative impact on the industry was the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Memory Footprint is my reflection on the journey which includes my return to radio in 2011 as well as updates on the profiles of younger musicians and those who passed on after my 2008 publication. You could say Memory Footprint is a second edition of some chapters with more flesh and deeper insight into the music industry. While Beyond Memory had almost all the recorded music genres of South Africa, Memory Footprint is focusing on our indigenous music. It is part of what is in Beyond Memory and more, hence it is labelled Volume 1,” said Bra Maxwell.

4. You have witnessed South African music evolve across different generations — from radio dominance to the digital age. In your view, what has the industry gained over the years, and what do you feel it has sadly lost?

“Technology has made the industry much more accessible to new talent. The many platforms in the digital space have opened wide opportunities for promoting, marketing and selling music. This has led to the birth of new genres like Gqom, Amapiano and lekompo as the youth find it easy to experiment with technological innovations like AI. On the downside, creativity is stifled as skills like playing the guitar, drums or saxophone have been replaced by computer programs. The standard of live concerts has dropped and artists appear on the stage only to mime. There’s no value for money at festivals as in the past. As much as it is easy to promote music on digital platforms, not much royalties or profit are earned,” said Bra Maxwell.

5. Many readers see your books as more than entertainment — they see them as cultural preservation. Do you ever feel pressure knowing that some of these stories may not exist anywhere else if you don’t document them?

“I would not say it is pressure, but it is a responsibility I embrace and hope to inspire younger writers to join me in the quest to preserve our rich heritage. It is always a pleasure to introduce new artists or bring out new information to the readers and music consumers. I feel rewarded when I get calls from other countries of the world inquiring about the artists I profile and the state of the music industry in our land,” said Bra Maxwell.

6. After decades of observing artists, radio personalities and the music business up close, what do you hope younger musicians, broadcasters and music lovers take away from reading Beyond Memory and Memory Footprint today?

“*That South African music is just as good as that of other countries.
*That genres like Maskandi, Kiba, Makgakgasa, Mbaqanga, Mgqashiyo, Kwaito, Amapiano, Gqom and Lekompo are exclusively South African.
*That we need to support our local artists and turn the arts into a booming economy that create jobs for the youth.
*That there is much to be appreciated from the various genres of our indigenous music.
*That the private sector has a bigger role to play in promoting our cultural diversity through talent search campaigns, festivals and awards ceremonies.
*That the media has the responsibility to promote our musicians by increasing local content quota on playlists especially radio and television,” said Bra Maxwell.

7. For readers, music lovers and younger generations who would love to experience these stories for themselves, where can people find or purchase Beyond Memory and Memory Footprint?

“Beyond Memory is available online world-wide and is also sold at Exclusive Books stores. Memory Footprint has just been published by Maluks Books and is to be distributed through Takealot. Plans are underway to make it easy for clients to order it on the Maxwell Mojapelo Foundation website, avail it online, as well as in E-Book form. It will be officially launched on Mandela Day, 18 July 2026 at
venues still to be confirmed in both Limpopo Province and Gauteng Province,” said Bra Maxwell.

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