Rathebe, Dolly (1928–2004)
Rathebe, Dolly (1928–2004)
South African singer and actress. Born Josephine Kedibone, April 2, 1928, in Randfontein, near Johannesburg, South Africa; died Sept 16, 2004, near Pretoria, South Africa; dau. of a migrant laborer; married twice; children: 2 daughters and 1 son.
Became Africa's 1st acknowledged international female actor when she starred in Jim Comes to Jo'burg (1949), the 1st film to portray urban Africans in a positive light; was lead singer with 2 popular township bands: Harlem Swingsters and Inkspots; also led the Elite Swingsters, an Afro-Jazz group; when other singers that she had mentored, such as Miriam Makeba, left South Africa because of apartheid, remained behind but found it increasingly difficult to perform; with the advent of democracy, rejoined the Elite Swingsters and sang at the inauguration of Nelson Mandela; also had a role in the film Cry, The Beloved Country.