PJ Powers

Combining music that people could dance to with messages of hope and reconciliation was different to what was played on the radio at the time. "Jabulani" (written by bass guitarist George van Dyk who later formed his own band called Wozani.) was the first big hit. Powers followed up by writing some hits of her own – "You're So Good to Me" (1982), "Feel So Strong" (1983 duet with Steve Kekana), "Home to Africa" (1985), "There Is an Answer" (1986) were her own work. P J Powers had honed her craft as a songwriter

2009 – Powers' recording of "World in Union" was featured in the Academy Award–nominated film, Invictus.

2003 – Powers wrote a song for Mandela's 85th birthday and sang for him and his party. Guests included Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey.

1995 – The Ladysmith Black Mambazo recording "World in Union" (feat P J Powers) reached no. 47 on the UK Singles Chart. She performed the song live at the opening of the 1995 Rugby World Cup in Cape Town for a worldwide television audience.

1988 – P.J Powers was. banned from radio and TV for a year by the apartheid government for her performance at a charity concert for war orphans in Zimbabwe, along with Miriam Makeba and Harry Belafonte. She was encouraged to continue her singing by Nelson Mandela, who sent her an encouraging letter from Victor Verster Prison in Cape Town.

Hotline disbanded in 1987 and Powers pursued a solo career.

The band lasted for seven years and produced some of the biggest local hits of the 1980s. The formula of young, energetic musicians performing vibrant music in all areas was well accepted by their youthful target audience. Some fans started calling PJ Powers by a nickname, Thandeka ("loved one"), a name that she still uses today. Hotline took music to the people. This increased their popularity and grew their fan base in the neighbouring countries of Botswana, Mozambique and Namibia.

PJ Powers is the stage name of the music artist Penelope Jane Dunlop (born 16 July 1960). She became a household name at home after winning a song competition on national radio with her version of the Don Clarke song, Sanbonani. The final stage of the song competition was televised, bringing P J Powers to the attention of the wider South African public. Sanbonani was a hit record at home. Featuring on the Ladysmith Black Mambazo recording of World in Union in 1995 provided an international hit when it charted in the UK (no 47 on the singles charts).

Penelope Jane Dunlop was born in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa on 16 July 1960. Her singing career kicked off in 1979 when she became the lead singer of an all female group called Pantha. It disbanded after a year. PJ Powers went on to front a new band, Hotline. Their sound, afro-pop fusion music framing PJ Powers' distinctive voice, attracted an expanded, cross cultural fan base.