BIOGRAPHY

YVONNE CHAKA CHAKA BIOGRAPHY

The album 18/28 is the latest creative expression from the internationally recognized and highly respected Princess of Africa, performing diva, entrepreneur, and humanitarian, Yvonne Chaka Chaka. Numbers are present everywhere in Yvonne's life, from the beginning of her meteoric rise in 1984 as a music star of infectious pop melodies and dance music during the height of apartheid, to the wife of a prominent physician, a mother to four boys, entrepreneur, businesswoman, and now a philanthropist with the recently established Princess of Africa Foundation in 2007. The album has great meaning to Yvonne for many reasons. The power of numbers has always played a strong role in Yvonne's ingenious and artistic career.

In Chinese tradition the number 18 indicates one is going to prosper. In Hebrew the number 18 is a blessing for long life. It is also the day in March that she was born. The ancient Greeks studied the number 28 and determined it had powerful properties. It is called a perfect number in mathematics because this number equals the sum of all its factors. In many ways these numbers serve to describe who Yvonne has become.

The 28 is the day in March that she gave birth to her first child, and sadly, the day in April that her mother died. Yvonne's personal messages are woven throughout every song she's written, and the album 18/28 is no exception. With musical beats that spans afro-traditional to a world sound imbedded into several tracks, the power of the music equals the power of Yvonne's clear social and spiritual advice to her audience.

The album 18/28 opens with Umbambe , an irresistible dance beat track that is sure to be a dance floor classic. It features maskandi-style rapping by the talented Ihashi Elimhlope urging listeners to hold on to their partners, stay faithful and prevent AIDS. Track 2, called Siphithipithi , will keep fans on their feet with its 100% upbeat funk tempo. Let the Children Live challenges everyone to protect our most vulnerable citizens, and features the uniquely soulful sound of Grammy winner Hugh Masekela. Why is an every woman's love song, and allows Yvonne to express herself in an unrestrained jazz style accompanied by multi-talented guitarist Jimmy Dludlu. Track 5, Xivandlanyongeni , tells the story of friendship and betrayal with a groove that is captivating. Siyanikhumbula conveys a heart-felt tribute to great musicians of South Africa dying before their time, all whom Yvonne knew and loved, such as MaBrrr, Dolly Rathebe, Lebo Mathosa, Lucky Dube, Jabu Khanyile, and niece TK.

My Lord is a gospel-infused personal dedication to Mum Sophie Machaka, a woman of remarkable capacity. Abafazi Base Africa says it simply and clearly, the world needs women-power! The final cut on the album 18/28 is Yvonne's signature song and timeless mega-hit, Umqombothi . This live version boosted the crowd to near hysteria when she performed at Nelson Mandela's internationally televised inaugural 46664 concert. This version of 18/28's finale track features Yvonne at her magical best. The album 18/28 offers fresh grooves with a contemporary sound to the listener.

This CD will find a wide audience. Younger listeners will discover the solid sounds of the icon whose name they've always known. Long-standing fans will appreciate hearing more from the voice they love. The album 18/28 will disappoint no one. The Princess of Africa delivers every time!

The public loves Yvonne. Her inimitable and distinctive alto voice is as warm as she is personable and gracious to her audiences. Yvonne states emphatically, “I love performing for my audiences.” Her music awards include the SAMA, KORA, OKTV, Autumn Harvest, and host of others for Yvonne's musical excellence. A cknowledgments from an appreciative music industry are reflected in the platinum, gold, and silver hit records proudly hang in the reception room of her studio: Burning Up, I'm In Love With a DJ, I Cry for Freedom, Makoti, Motherland, Be Proud To Be African, Thank You Mr. DJ, Bombani (Tiko Rahini), and Umqombothi ( featured in the opening scene of the 2005 movie Hotel Rwanda) .

Very few artists can boast 20 albums in a solid singing career spanning twenty-two years. Yvonne has shared the stage with megastars such as Bono, Angelique Kidjo, Annie Lennox, Youssou N'Dour , the classic rock band Queen, and South Africans Johnny Clegg, Miriam Makeba, and Hugh Masekela, to name a few. Yvonne has performed for HRM Queen Elizabeth, US President Bill Clinton, South African President Thabo Mbeki, and a host of other world leaders. As a young performer Yvonne was the first Black child to appear on South African television in 1981.

Since then she has consistently developed her creative capabilities and expanded her media repertoire to include musician, record producer, talk radio and television shows, and acting in several South African television dramas, A-list celebrity, and glamour queen. There seems to be no end to Yvonne's talents.

It's easy to see why some compare Yvonne Chaka Chaka to Oprah Winfrey. They both wield tremendous power with international audiences, and their fans consider them both role models. This influential friendship blossomed when the two super-stars met at Nelson Mandela's 85 th birthday party in South Africa in 2003. Of the numerous world leaders Yvonne has met in her illustrious career, she says her favourite is mentor and father figure, Nelson Mandela. He calls her his “dear daughter.” “Madiba” as he is affectionately known, recounts that it was Yvonne's music that helped sustain him, and others, while confined as prisoners on Robben Island. He says, “It is what we make of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another. Yvonne, you are a testament to my belief. You have made all of South Africa proud to claim you as a national icon. You have motivated millions of women and men on our continent. Your generosity has benefited untold numbers of families and orphans facing the challenges of AIDS, terminal illness, abuse, poverty, and illiteracy. I know you will always make your indelible mark wherever you go, and with what ever you do. There is no stopping you! You will always be my Princess of Africa.”

For more than two decades Yvonne has graced the covers of more magazines than many other African icons, illustrating the consistency of her popularity. These images represent a life of triumph and accomplishment. Recently, Readers Digest (with 80 million readers in 70 countries and 21 languages) featured Yvonne. Writer Heather Dugmore stated, “Yvonne Chaka Chaka has a feminine power, a life force that is tangible with that “It” factor of great stars like Marilyn Monroe.”

Yvonne recognized early in her career that fame could be fleeting. In 1989 she created her own company, Chaka Chaka Promotions. In 1995 she created her own music label, Chaka Chaka Music. Since then every album Yvonne has released has been on her own label. She has two diplomas from the University of South Africa, one in adult education, another in local government, management and administration. She also studied speech and drama at Trinity College, London, qualifying in 1988. Voted the “most credible celebrity” in South Africa, she became the face of South Africa's First National Bank (FNB) in 2001. Her business ventures include companies in the Information Technology sector; Energy and Minerals sectors; Human Resource Development focused on adult training; and Sandown Motors, a luxury motor vehicle retailer .

Yvonne's energy and enthusiasm is boundless. She has become a hero and mentor to others, a willing warrior and agent for change in enormous proportions. Considered a role model throughout the African continent, she has demonstrated compassion for others throughout her career.

Yvonne has taught literacy in South Africa's townships, promoted the rights of women, and as works to protect children everywhere. She is a Trustee of Tomorrow Trust, which educated orphans and vulnerable children. As UNICEF's Goodwill Ambassador against malaria, and also Ambassador for Roll-Back Malaria (sponsored by the World Bank, United Nations, World Health Organization, and other institutions), Yvonne tirelessly campaigns for medications and bed net s that will help to end malaria — a preventable and curable disease that kills 3,000 people in Africa every day. Inspired by these statistics she created her own charity, the Princess of Africa Foundation. Yvonne says, “We want to raise awareness and take initiative to eradicate this needless disease. People need to know more about malaria because it kills almost one million Africans a year, most of them children.”

Yvonne has also served as Ambassador for the University of South Africa (UNISA); City of Johannesburg Tourism, South Africa's Mpumalanga Province Tourism; and Nelson Mandela's 46664 Campaign. Yvonne embraces the belief that every citizen should play a part in building community, so when she was asked to become an honorary Colonel in the South Africa Air Force she didn't hesitate. Her duties include team-building and attaining excellence in communication. In 2001 Yvonne was named one of the Top 100 Heroes of South Africa by the Star Newspaper.

Despite a travel schedule that keeps her on the road much of the time, Yvonne continues to make time to motivate, inspire, and educate who ever she meets. Her continual efforts to raise donor monies from various African governments, the Global Fund, the World Bank and the Gates Foundation ensures that those who need help the most will get it. Of the many awards and limitless accolades earned by Yvonne says that being the Recipient of the Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship Award, established in 1957 , was a great honour. “This award of excellence is such a distinction.

I realize that it is through the efforts of others, who walked this path before me, that I am able to follow in their footsteps to help others. It is a privilege to serve my communities and make the world a better place for all our children Yvonne's numerous accomplishments, and endurance in a demanding industry, can be attributed to an indomitable will and a childhood guided by the strength of her mother, Sophie Machaka. A domestic worker with only a Standard 6 education, Yvonne's mother was a life-long teacher to all she knew her. She was Yvonne's first mentor who gave her the gift of character. Yvonne says, “I know what it is like to sleep without food. I know what is like not to have. My mum taught me that when you die you are never going to take anything with you.
So when I have, I share with others.”

Honesty, generosity, gratitude, faith, responsibility, and moral integrity are all virtues Yvonne's mother taught her. Yvonne recalls, “My mother was always there for me. She was a young widow who raised three daughters single-handedly on a domestic workers salary. That took great courage and strength. When I was born in 1965 in Soweto, it was during apartheid, and those were extremely difficult times. When I was little I would strum an empty tin and blow into a broomstick pretending it was a microphone. I sang in church choirs. I loved singing.” Yvonne remembers her father, “ He was a great musician who could never realize his dream. He died when I was 11 years old. I inherited my talent from both parents, so music is in my blood. I am blessed that I achieved what my father had not been able to accomplish.”

Yvonne is proud of her achievements, and proud of those around her. Her 23-year-old son, Themba (aka Chaka-Mingz), co-wrote and co-produced the album 18/28 with hit maker Philemon Madibe (aka Techno P). Working with his mother was an experience that Themba says he'll always appreciate.

When asked about the experience he said, “Wow! It was amazing. It was a great learning curve for me because my mother is such a professional. 18/28 had to be good enough. Finding musical styles worthy of her talent was a challenge, but everything came together to create a product I'm very proud of.” Techno P says, “It was experience like no other. Having worked with many top artists in the industry was the preparation I needed to be able to work with the Princess of Africa. 18/28 was truly an opportunity to stretch my wings and grow as an producer.”

Talent permeates the family with teenage sons Mfumu and Mandla already published writers on previous albums.
Eldest son, Ningi, is a marketing professional who has organized Yvonne's CD launch. The aspirations of these children are as lofty as their mother and father's. Yvonne's husband, Dr. Mandlalela “Tiny” Mhinga, is a Council member on the governing body of the world-class University of Limpopo in South Africa. He is also active in his medical practices in Soweto and Bryanston. This dynamic couple met in 1987, and Tiny says of his wife, “It was instant love.” Yvonne says of Tiny, “He's a very special man.
He's an outstanding physician. He's an attentive father to our four sons. He has a wife who loves her public. This is not easy for any couple, but he balances my life. Tiny has been my rock.”

Celebrated for her great beauty as much as her talent, Yvonne still meets every duty of family, shopping for groceries for her sizeable and extended family, ensuring meals are never late, and volunteering at school where her four sons have excelled in academics. Ever the mother and wife, Yvonne raises her children to understand that what is really important is what's on the inside of a person. G rateful that she understood early that her gift was her voice, she did not realize it would become far more powerful than she could have dreamed. Today, the voice of Yvonne Chaka Chaka has also become the voice for untold others who suffer injustice and disease. Her wisdom and insight, combined with common sense and good judgment, have become evident in the dignity, poise, and courage she radiates.

It is said that the only way to have a friend is to be one, and the Princess of Africa lives this credo. She has embraced an array of people from every walk of life, and her friendships span the globe. The diversity, and quality, of Yvonne's relationships are like her music — different notes blending together to create the perfect sound . This belief in the human family is at the core of her beliefs, “I would love for all people to be equal in the world and just to know that God loves us all.”

Those who are closest to Yvonne recognise that she exudes a wisdom that flows from the highest source. Like a soldier in God's army, she has matured into a leader whose vision includes discipline and persistence. Yvonne is a dramatic example of
the power of one. Passionate about changing her world, she works ceaselessly to build a better future for Africa.
A non-drinker and non-smoker, Yvonne maintains strong spiritual connection.

Her philosophy is, “When we are born we come with nothing. And when we die, we die with nothing.

So every day I wake up and say, ‘God thank you for the life that you have given me. I take nothing for granted.
I love living, I love life, and I live it to the fullest.'”

In Greek legend the goddess Clytemnestra said, “We are the instruments of Heaven. Our work is not design, but destiny.” African icon Yvonne Chaka Chaka is living her destiny, and those who understand her message are enriched by it.