Babsy Mlangeni

Bernard Babsy Mlangeni was born on the 24th February 1943 in Orlando East, Soweto, South Africa, he is better known as Babsy. A multi instrumentalist, he is a vocalist, he plays the guitar, the harmonica, the saxophone, the flute and the piano.

His early childhood was characterised by bullying and children who did not understand his disability, having gone blind at the age of three, and with his parents working fulltime, he was sent to Athlone School of the Blind in Bellville, outside Cape Town where he joined the student band. Babsy was already making and playing his own guitar from old oil cans. Upon completing his junior Certificate (JC) – an equivalent of grade 10 and the highest secondary school qualification for Africans in those years – his mother bought him a radiogram and a guitar. This gift allowed Babsy to buy records for himself and listened to the music that was influencing him. 

In 1962 in Mapetla, Soweto the group The Alrounders was founded, led by Jimmy Mojapelo (composer), Babsy Mlangeni (lead singer), Koloi Lebona (guitar), Simon Falatsi (guitar/sax/vocals), Munich Sibiya (drummer), John Mothopeng (piano) and Jimmy Mojapelo (guitar/sax/flute), the group later broke up as most of the blind members opted for permanent employment. In 1967 Babsy and Koloi Lebona decided to make music their profession. The All-Rounders’ new line-up was Babsy Mlangeni (lead singer), Moses Tau (vocals), Koloi Lebona (lead guitar), Clive Ncaphayi (rhythm guitar), Peter Sexwale (bass) and Mickey Lebona (drums). Their debut album, “Coming Home”, with hit song, Sala Emma, this song was the break out song for the group and heralded a new genre to be named South African soul. Facing discrimination for his visual impairment and racist prejudice, Babsy was able to make and release many albums, these being, Soul of Babsy (CCP, 1977). Nansi Lendoda (CCP, 1979). Music Was Born In Africa (CCP, 1983). Special Angel (CCP, 1985. Babsy 2001 (Zenzele Music, 2001). Awukho Umsebenzi (Zenzele Music, 2006). Alongside the albums, Babsy has a catalog of notable singles, Sala Emma (1970). Bua Nnete (1972). Thekeni (1976). Hey Mr Taxi Driver (1977). Mapule (1979). Music Was Born In Africa (1983). His legacy as South Africa’s first black blind superstar is holding  firm.