Mahotella Queens
1972 – 1987
### 1972 – 1987

In 1972, Mahlathini and several of the Queens members departed the group following royalty disputes with Rupert Bopape. Many of the members joined rival groups such as [Izintombi Zesi Manje Manje](/wiki/Izintombi_Zesi_Manje_Manje "Izintombi Zesi Manje Manje"). Mahlathini moved to another record company where he recorded with a new group of vocalists, titled simply The Queens, and backed by a new instrumental band. Bopape worked with the members of the Makgona Tsohle Band to replace the members of the Mahotella Queens who had departed. The newer line\-up consisted of [Emily Zwane](/wiki/Emily_Zwane "Emily Zwane"), [Beatrice Ngcobo](/wiki/Beatrice_Ngcobo_%28musician%29 "Beatrice Ngcobo (musician)"), [Thandi Radebe](/wiki/Thandi_Radebe "Thandi Radebe"), [Thandi Nkosi](/wiki/Thandi_Nkosi "Thandi Nkosi") and [Caroline Kapentar](/wiki/Caroline_Kapentar "Caroline Kapentar"). In 1972, West Nkosi was promoted by Bopape to a producing role. One of his early productions was a then\-unknown choir, [Ladysmith Black Mambazo](/wiki/Ladysmith_Black_Mambazo "Ladysmith Black Mambazo").

The Mahotella Queens continued to record and perform successfully throughout the 1970s, on many occasions in combination with groaner [Robert 'Mbazo' Mkhize](/wiki/Robert_%27Mbazo%27_Mkhize "Robert 'Mbazo' Mkhize"), who was also the lead vocalist of Mavuthela's successful male group [Abafana Baseqhudeni](/wiki/Abafana_Baseqhudeni "Abafana Baseqhudeni"). Guitarist Marks Mankwane became the producer of the Queens following the retirement of Rupert Bopape in the late 1970s. The group's material included albums like *Izibani Zomgqashiyo*, *Tsamaya Moratuoa*, *Thatha Izimpahla Zakho*, *Ezesimanje* and *Tsa Lebowa*. During the 1980s, the Queens' popularity dipped as a result of changing musical tastes, and mbaqanga was eventually usurped as the favoured music of the townships by styles such as soul and disco.


How did the retirement of Rupert Bopape affect the Queens' production and performance?