PALESA hail from Mamelodi near Pretoria. Comprising sisters Monki and Evy Mojaki plus Mapitse Nkgapela, Palesa was formed in the first week of 2003.
Each of the girls has been singing for years now: Monki has to travelled to countries such as Australia , UK and Canada with the Pretoria Youth Choir. She, like her 21-year-old sister and 24-year-old Nkgapela started singing at their respective church choirs. Evy, still sings at the Mamelodi West branch of the AME church. Everyone sings in their family, says Evy. Their father is an amateur saxophonist.
The singers are "homegirls" to producer Don Laka, who is clearly prioritising promoting a new generation of artists from the sprawling township of Mamelodi. One of his new stables, Slam Records, recently released Sebenza, an album by the group, Jam Tribe, also a trio of guys from Mamelodi.
Their name was decided upon by the Don himself."to me, their voices coupled with their youthful look made it easier to come up with a name like Palesa, a rose", said Don.
Promise. Already their hit single, Bana Ba Sekolo, is on high rotation on all the radio staions in just two weeks of airplay. All of the songs on the album were written by Don Laka. "It has been amazing working with these ladies," says the Don, "and I think it's very much due to their professional approach to work that we have this gem." Laka also sings praises of the women's voices and their mind-blowing technique. |
