‘They had a big influence on us’- Arthur Mafokate pays tribute to MarcAlex’s Marc Rantseli

Kwaito legend Arthur Mafokate has reflected on the influence 80s duo MarcAlex had in the music industry following the death of member Marc Rantseli.

Rantseli reportedly died at a Johannesburg hospital following a short illness. News of his death sent shockwaves across the country on Thursday morning.

As tributes flooded social media, Mafokate told The Citizen the group had a big influence on the Kwaito culture.

“Even though the music was different, they made it easy for township boys to believe in themselves,” he added.

MarcAlex won the hearts of many with their 1989 hit Quick Quick which went to number 1 on the South African music charts in June of that year.

The Brothers-duo also gave the country the hit My Life, My Love, My Everything. Boys B Boys followed in 1990, with reworked versions of the original tunes appearing via ATCO Records and PWL Records that same year on their international and equally eponymous debut.

MarcAlex’s the long-spanning career included five albums, the last of which was released in 2009.

ALSO READ: Tributes pour in for musician Marc Rantseli who has passed away

Disregarded legends

Mafokate, who is the chairperson of the Cultural and Creatives Industries Federation of South Africa (CCIFSA), said he never worked on music with the brothers but interacted with Rantseli on initiatives.

“[I worked with him] in activism structures as I was part of Music Association of South Africa (MASA).”

Rantseli spent a few years working at the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (Samro) advocating for the rights of musicians in the country.

Rantseli’s passing has cast a spotlight on veteran musicians who are sadly too often only remembered after they’ve died.

“As an organiser of an event called Night with Legends, I can easily say that they don’t care and refuse to even help in booking artists,” said Mafokate about how South Africa treats its veteran musos.

“And will always rush to associate themselves with current hitmakers only or ump up and down when an artist passes away and start mentioning the word ‘legend’.”

ALSO READ: ‘Middle finger to the creative industry’ – Arthur Mafokate’s appointment as CCIFSA Chairperson