Music icon shares stages with big names
Professor Cosbie Mbele's claim to fame was after recording her album, Beautiful Sister, which featured Ladysmith Black Mambazo in 1980 and, in later years working closely with a number of famous people.
Her claim to fame was after recording her album, Beautiful Sister, which featured Ladysmith Black Mambazo in 1980, and in later years working closely with a number of famous people.
Professor Cosbie Mbele, from Brackenhurst, also known as Lady Africa, can also add author to her name and on her journey to fame.
Cosbie, a mother of two, is best described as a woman of varied talents being a former musician, former lecturer, an established music producer and an author.
She is the author of Lady Africa in America, which was first published in America in 1993 and was well received by book lovers.
Her book was later published in South Africa with Vivlia Publishers.
Music journey
Her passion for music began when she recorded her first song for Gallo Records which paved a way for many other songs she penned.
Through an academic scholarship, she got an opportunity to travel to the United States.
There, she and her brother gave stunning performances in a number of universities.
“My brother and I left South Africa in 1981 because we were both political and economical. We had also received scholarships from the United Nations to further our studies,” she said.
Together, they went on to record Memories, an album which was well received in the US and also back in South Africa.
She described her brother, Rudi Mbele, as a good international promoter who helped her take South African artists to New York.
Cosbie has been able to take more than 500 South African artists to the USA.
She did this through her project called Arts on Campus, where she spotted talent.
The project was initially started by former Minister of Arts and Culture Dr Ben Ngubane in 2003.
It discovered talented students in schools, colleges and universities and they had a chance to perform in the US.
These artists included Soweto Teachers Choir, SABC Choir, kwaMashu Cultural Group, Mtuba Thulisa Brothers and Durban Black Drifters, among many others.
Making a name
She left for New York in 1981 to make a name for herself, where she later worked as a lecturer at The City University of New York for 10 years.
In 1996, she was also invited to being a visiting professor in the University of the Witwatersrand’s school of music.
She then had to come back to South Africa and assist the school of music.
Her talent was recognised throughout the years with numerous prestigious awards for her music as well as for her 35-year dedication in the music industry.
Cosbie told the RECORD that the Golden Shield Heritage award, which she received in 2016, is the award which stands out for her.
She won the award in the category of The National Living Treasure.
Cosbie finally returned to South Africa in 2003 and bought a house in Brackenhurst.
She then decided to stay in South Africa when the former Minister of Arts and Culture, Dr Ben Ngubane, encouraged her to start the Arts on Campus project.
Her second love
Cosbie then focused on her second love-writing.
She told the RECORD that her book is an autobiography that takes readers on her life’s journey.
“It takes the reader through what I encountered in my upbringing and the challenges I faced as a youngster.
“Through the book, I wanted to combine literature and people’s cultures.
“In the book I highlight that irrespective of your background, you can still achieve greatness,” said Cosbie.
Lady Africa in America is available in Exclusive Books store at Mall of the South and costs R100.
The book can also be ordered at Vivlia Publishers on 011 472 3912. To find out more about her, visit cosbiembele.com
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