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Dark City Sisters

The Dark City Sisters were a South African female vocal group formed in 1958 by music producer Rupert Bopape. They recorded several hit records during the 1960s, helping usher in the mbaqanga style of South African music later brought to global prominence by the Mahotella Queens. The Sisters were formed by Bopape, also a talent scout, at EMI South Africa. The group was named after Alexandra Township, known at the time as "Dark City" due to its lack of street lighting. The early line-up included Joyce Mogatusi, Francisca Mngomezulu, Irene Mawela, Hilda Mogapi and Esther Khoza. The group's close harmonies were often combined with a single male vocalist, at a time when most bands consisted of a female lead backed up by a group of men. In their early days the Si… more »