Popularly known as "Thandeka", PJ Powers, (formerly Penelope Jane Dunlop) was born in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal in 1960. She was part of an all girl group called Pantha as front singer from their formation in 1979. She later became the lead singer for the rock band Hotline, formed in Johannesburg in 1980. The band changed their style to afro-rock in 1983.

In 1988 PJ was banned from radio and TV for a year by the apartheid government for her performance at a charity concert for war orphans in Zimbabwe, where she shared the stage with stars such as Miriam Makeba and Harry Belafonte. She was encouraged to continue her singing by Nelson Mandela, who sent her an encouraging letter from Victor Verster Prison in Cape Town.

In 1995, she had a UK chart hit with World in Union, recorded together with Ladysmith Black Mambazo. She sang World in Union at the opening of the Rugby World Cup in Johannesburg for an audience of millions from around the world.

In the 90s her music took on a more Afro-pop focus, finding a receptive audience in the black market, and she took on the nickname Thandeka, "the loved one". Some of her biggest hits like Jabulani she wrote herself, together with Feel so strong, You're so good to me, There is an answer, and Home to Africa, reflecting her patriotism. Her hit song "Jabulani" is known by music lovers spanning all generations, languages and social classes.

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 big names. PJ sang for Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom, King Juan Carlos of Spain and Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. She sang at the inauguration of President Nelson Mandela and at the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

PJ collaborated with Vicky Sampson, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and M'du Masilela for the music video flighted at the United Nation's Assembly in Washington DC and in Greece. 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.

Loved and enjoyed by a diverse crossover audience in her native South Africa, her support also extends to the neighbouring states such as Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique.
 
Sources:

• Five season music
• Wikipedia
• Music.org

Zanele Situ was born in Matatiele, Eastern Cape in 1971. She lived with both parents and four other siblings. In 1982, at the tender age of 12, and while still in Standard 4, Situ was injured in an accident to the extent that she lost the use of both her legs and became confined to a wheelchair. She was encouraged to take up javelin by her teacher in Umtata.

Coming into the Paralympics, Situ had already set a new national record, having thrown a distance of 14,69m in Pretoria in March 2000. Zanele Situ achieved the groundbreaking feat of becoming the first black South African female athlete to win a Paralympic gold medal at the Sydney Games in 2000.

Situ has been throwing the javelin since 1988. She said she had been intimidated by the 50 000-strong crowd at Stadium Australia and wanted to throw in the towel. "I just wanted to go home. But once I had my first throw and saw that it went over the yellow line for the world record, I felt much better".

Competing in a category for athletes with spinal injuries, Situ won the Javelin event with a world record throw that bettered the previous mark by an unprecedented three metres.

Situ followed that achievement with a silver medal in the Discus event.Situ, who is also the world champion, was in a class of her own, her effort accumulating 1287 points according to her T54 classification, beating Czech Martina Kniezkova whose 9,03m collected 1064 points for silver.

Zanele Situ stands as an inspiration to all South Africans in our personal and national challenges to overcome setbacks and adversity.

Sources:

• iafrica
• ZAR
• Government info