Based: Johannesburg
PJ Powers is a true South African Icon representing always what is best about our people.
She has committed herself to building a better nation her entire life. She supported the struggle for human rights throughout her life, inspired by her grandmother who at an early age would take her to the townships to feed the hungry children.
During the Struggle she worked as a courier to Zambia and her home was used as a safe house.
Named “Thandeka” – the loved one – in the early eighties when she sang to a capacity crowd a the Jabulani stadium, she is acknowledged wherever she goes as a woman of the people, a representative of the ordinary man in the street.
She has represented South Africa all over the world bringing her own brand of magic to every occasion.
In addition to a still busy musical career, PJ is fast becoming a sought after inspirational speaker. She talks with empathy, understanding, humour and sadness about her journey from successful artist, to alcoholic and back to success.
Exceptional Milestones
1. In 2014 PJ Powers published her memoir, “Here I Am” written with Marianne Thamm an award winning journalist.
2. For eight years she was the lead singer in “Hotline” South Africa’s biggest selling band at the time.
3. 1987 received a letter from Nelson Mandela in prison thanking her for what she was doing for the country
4. 2000 Nelson Mandela presented PJ Powers with a commemorative limited edition gold coin
5. Appointed a South African Tourism Ambassador
6. June 2003 the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation honoured her and singer Sibongile Khumalo with their prestigious annual award, promoting reconciliation by “singing people together”
7. September 2003 food chain Pick ‘n Pay nominated her as one of their “Stars of Charity” for having “made a difference in uplifting the youth of South Africa”
8. In 2004 she was voted 93rd in the Top 100 Great South Africans.
9. Won the Sarie Awards for best female artist 7 times consecutively
10. Nominated for a Pick n Pay Children’s Choice award
11. In 1995, her recording of the Rugby World Cup official song featuring Ladysmith Black Mambazo, “World in Union”, reached no. 47 on the UK Singles Chart, She performed the song live at the opening of the 1995 Rugby World Cup in Cape Town for a worldwide television audience.
12. PJ has shared the stage with Eric Clapton, Joan Armatrading, Hugh Masekela, Divine Divas, Lord Richard Attenborough, Richard E. Grant, Sibongile Khumalo, Janet Suzman and other prestigious names.
13. PJ sang for Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom, King Juan Carlos of Spain and Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.
14. In 1994 she sang at the inauguration of President Nelson Mandela
15. She collaborated with Vicky Sampson, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and M’du Masilela for the music video flighted at the United Nations Assembly in Washington, D.C. and in Greece.
16. PJ also wrote an 85th birthday song for Mandela, which she sang for him and guests including Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey at his party in 2003.
17. In 2009, Powers’ recording of “World In Union” was featured in the Academy Award-nominated film, Invictus.
18. PJ Powers has been extensively involved with the Reach For a Dream Foundation, as well as the Hamlet Foundation.
19. She was commissioned by the Presidency to write and perform a song for the Children’s Rights Commission.
20. 18 gold discs
21. 7 platinum discs
22. Top 10 People brands in SA
23. Most outstanding South African Award
