As the Springboks and All Blacks prepare for another pivotal chapter in rugby’s greatest rivalry on Saturday 5 September 2026, it feels like the perfect moment to look back at a day that remains very special in the life and career of Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse.

The place was Soccer City in Soweto. The date was Saturday, 6 October 2012. The occasion was a Test match between the Springboks and the All Blacks two giants of world rugby.

And standing on that enormous stage, in front of a capacity crowd, was one of Soweto’s own: Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse.

For an artist who had already spent more than four decades making music, performing around the world and creating songs that had become part of the South African soundtrack, remarkably, this was another first.

In the build-up to the Test, Hotstix announced that he had never before sung the South African National Anthem. He was about to do so at Soccer City before South Africa faced the then world champion All Blacks.

“In over 45 years in the music business, I have never sung the South African National Anthem  I can’t wait!”

What followed became a wonderful piece of Hotstix history.

And thanks to the original FINAL event run sheet from that day, we have an extraordinary record of exactly how the occasion unfolded. 
The document lists South Africa vs New Zealand at Soccer City on 6 October 2012, with kick-off at 17:00.

THE FINAL MINUTES BEFORE KICK-OFF

TIME

OFFICIAL RUN ORDER

16:41–16:42

MC thanks Jay and introduces Sipho Hotstix Mabuse from the side of the pitch.

16:42–16:47

Sipho Hotstix Mabuse performs with hip-hop and contemporary dancers.

16:53

The All Blacks run out and take their position on the field.

16:54

The Springboks run out and take their position on the field.

16:55

MC asks everyone in Soccer City to stand for the anthems.

16:55–16:57

New Zealand anthem.

16:57–16:59

South African anthem performed by “Sipho Hotstix Mabuse” — official duration 1:50.

16:59

Players remove tracksuits, followed by the Haka.

17:00

KICK-OFF — South Africa vs New Zealand.

There is something rather beautiful about seeing it written down in the original working document all these years later. Among the hundreds of timings, television cues, entertainment instructions and match-day responsibilities sits one simple line bearing the name Sipho Hotstix Mabuse.

For one minute and 50 seconds, the voice belonged to Hotstix. The anthem belonged to South Africa. And the stage was Soccer City, in the heart of Soweto the community that helped shape the man and musician and where he remains deeply rooted.

The performance has stayed with those of us fortunate enough to have witnessed it. It was delivered with dignity, feeling and enormous pride  the kind of anthem performance that, for us, became a benchmark.

A special word of thanks must go to Jenny Wentzel from SA Rugby, who booked Sipho and helped make this remarkable moment possible. Her name also appears throughout the original final run order alongside the entertainment programme, adding another lovely piece of provenance to the memory.

The photographs accompanying this Throwback Thursday have their own special connection to the day. 
They were taken by my friend Jernique Bayard, who was inside Soccer City on 6 October 2012 and captured the occasion as it unfolded.

WATCH AND LISTEN

You can listen again to Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse singing the South African National Anthem at Soccer City on 6 October 2012:

Watch the anthem performance on YouTube

More than a decade later, hearing that voice ring around Soccer City brings back the scale and emotion of the occasion: a packed stadium, the Springboks and All Blacks waiting, the Haka still to come, and a son of Soweto standing on the field singing for his country.

Some moments disappear when the final whistle blows. Others become part of your story forever.

For Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, this was one of those moments.

THROWBACK THURSDAY  SOCCER CITY, SOWETO,  6 OCTOBER 2012

Photographs: Jernique Bayard

Original match-day run order: SA Rugby, 6 October 2012

Historical source note: The  Sowetan report published on 20 September 2012 recorded Hotstix’s announcement that the Soccer City Test would be the first time he had sung the South African National Anthem.

Known for classics like Burn Out and Jive Soweto, Mabuse blended nostalgia with fresh vibrancy, moving seamlessly between instruments as the crowd sang, danced, and clapped along.

Backing him was his long-standing band:

Khumo Kganyago (Guitar), Bernice Boikanyo (drums), Lloyd Toto Mbele (Keyboards), Khemani Khosa (road manager), Thami Ernest Mgcina (sound engineer), and Thembeka Tabia Khumalo (Backing Vocals) musicians who have been with him for over a decade and bring depth and gravitas to his sound. 

Together, they delivered a tight, electrifying set that reaffirmed Mabuse’s status as a towering figure in South African music. 

All the Stunning pictures are by Warren Kirkland of Sipho Mabuse at Cape Town International Jazz Festival….. Thank you 

Some snaps  below

Great to be with Khumo Kganyago, Bernice Boikanyo, Lloyd Toto Mbele, Khemani Khosa, Thami Ernest Mgcina, Thembeka Tabia Khumalo

Good to be with Jason Curtis and to see Warren Kirkland

Cape Town based guitarist-singer-songwriter, Andy Hoyle, has been consistently honing his skills whilst generating a considerable body of original material, since he began writing songs in the mid-eighties. 

As can be heard on his critically acclaimed 14 track album entitled “Living In My Head,” Andy’s songs encompass the entire circle of life and its manifold challenges. His storytelling skills take you on captivating journeys full of interest, with emotion laid bare and yet at the same time full of hope and positivity.

Following on from the release of “Living In My Head,” he continues to write and release topical music, in keeping with his mantra of empathic authenticity. 

With the festive season fast approaching, Andy’s vibey new Christmas song, “Ho-Ho-Ho,” promises an entirely fresh celebration of the timeless magic of Santa!The track is  available on all digital music platforms NOW 

Interactive YouTube Viewer Link – https://show.co/vKlJTSR

Music Video

Label – Independent

Andy Hoyle – Contact email – ahcon@mweb.co.za

Song Lyrics:- “Ho-Ho-Ho”– Words & Music – Andy Hoyle

1. Well, what do you know, we’ve only weeks to go,
Till the mistletoe and the ho-ho-ho
To the yuletide cheer and the reindeer
Santa will be coming baby don’t you fear
Headin down the chimney to the Christmas tree
To leave a little something there for you and me, ho, ho-ho…

2. Get the milk and cookies ready for action
All for Santa’s satisfaction
He’s been a busy man and now Rudolph all a’dashin
Rounding up the reindeer takes a measure of passion
Everybody’s focussed there is zero distraction
And there’s no doubt red’s back in fashion, ho, ho-ho…

C1. Hey Santa where’ve you been all year?
Won’t you bring your Christmas cheer?
We’re counting down the days till you’ll appear…
We may have been little naughty, but were mostly nice
So make your list and check it twice
We simply cannot wait till you’ll be here

3. Well, what do you say we’re just days away
Crazy mad rush ahead of Christmas Day
The elves and the helpers are happily stacking
All the toys into piles ready for wrapping
They’ll be loading all the presents up onto the sleigh
There’s a man on mission just to make your day, ho, ho-ho…

C2. Hey Santa where’ve you been all year?
Won’t you bring your Christmas cheer?
We’re counting down the days till you’ll appear…
We may have been little naughty, but were mostly nice
So make your list and check it twice
We simply cannot wait till you’ll be here

4. Well, would you believe it’s Christmas Eve
And Santa’s got a few tricks up his sleeve
He’s dashing all over the world tonight
Sleighbells interrupting your Silent Night
The reindeer making magic as a team
Santa will be visiting you while you dream, ho, ho-ho…

C3. Hey Santa where’ve you been all year?
Won’t you bring your Christmas cheer?
We’re counting down the days till you’ll appear…
We may have been little naughty, but were mostly nice
So make your list and check it twice
We simply cannot wait till you’ll be here

We may have been little naughty, but were mostly nice
So make your list and check it twice
We simply cannot wait till you’ll be here, ho, ho-ho…

C Music and Lyrics by Andy Hoyle

Andy Hoyle – BIO – Long version

Andy Hoyle is a guitarist/singer/songwriter based in Cape Town, South Africa.

Since he began writing songs in the early eighties, he has generated a considerable body of original music which he intends sharing with all those who love his accessible, laid back, acoustic style.

Andy is firmly of the belief that the test of a good song is whether it can deliver its message with just a single instrument as accompaniment and not require fancy bells and whistles to prop it up. His music is often deceptively simple, but always melodic and meaningful.

He has written songs about a surprisingly wide variety of subjects, all influenced by an exciting blend of international singer/songwriter styles and the rhythms of his African home.

Andy grew up surrounded by music and began playing piano from the age of six, continuing with his classical training as far as Grade 6 Piano. In high school he also played Clarinet and took jazz lessons with Merton Barrow at the Jazz Workshop in Cape Town.

During high school he decided to learn guitar and taught himself to play on an old Ace steel string guitar bought from the classified ads of a local newspaper. Whilst his mom resisted his newfound “obsession” with the guitar, he carefully balanced his studies with the long hours spent playing the guitar, and pursued his love of folk, pop and light rock music.

He began playing live in student pubs and restaurants around Cape Town whilst completing his degree at UCT in the late eighties. He steadily progressed to playing at live music venues all over Southern Africa, including Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town, East London and Knysna.

Whilst working for a Knysna-based log home building company, he travelled widely for them, usually building way off the beaten track. His band equipment always went with him and this led to him performing in some unusual places such as Mtunzini, Cape St Francis, Nature’s Valley, and even the Chobe Safari Lodge in Kasane, Northern Botswana.

Andy has also performed for numerous weddings and corporate functions over the years and has played for the likes of Mitsubishi, Nashua, SAB, Mobil Oil Africa, Southern Life, NBS, Delloites, Myers Squibb, Triomed and Samcor to name but a few. In 1999, Norwich/Fedsure invited him to provide the music for their “Top Marketers’ Tour” of France which saw him travel by barge through beautiful French scenery whilst entertaining the delegates on board.

He continued performing regularly throughout the nineties before eventually calling it a day on live performance in the early 2000’s to focus on family, his construction business, and other interests. He was occasionally coaxed out of retirement to play for a few Nippers fundraisers and Rotary wine auctions. All the while, he continued writing music and recording his original material in his home studio.

Now that the kids are older, Andy has been enjoying getting back into live performance. His live gigs include songs from the likes of Cat Stevens, Chris de Burgh, Simon and Garfunkel, Sting, Elton John, Don McClean, Peter Sarsteadt, The Eagles, Bob Dylan, Bill Withers and many other music legends…all punctuated with his own original songs.

When the global pandemic put live performance on hold, Andy made use of the time during hard lockdown to release a critically acclaimed 14 track album entitled “Living In My Head.” The album is available on most digital music platforms globally.

His Andy Hoyle Musician Facebook page can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/Andy-Hoyle-Musician-102595467834695

His Andy Hoyle Music Videos YouTube channel can be viewed at
https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCDxoftk4-ZnxatC02ZI6WUQ?si=LW6sBXj6ReN5jlkr=

Andy with Sipho” Hotstix “ Mabuse – pictured below 

Picture credits: Blowfish productions

Show runs till 15th December.

Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse Brings Legendary Jazz to Theatre on the Square

Credit : Alan Eason

email  photoeason@gmail.com

Twitter: @aletpretorius
Instagram: @aletpretorius
Blog: http://havecamerawill.wordpress.com

Please reach out to Alet for  your work.

Sipho had a two night show with the band on Fri 28th and Sat 29 June 2024 playing The National Arts Festival in Makhanda.

Sipho  Mabuse – Vocals and Sax
David Vusumuzi Mabaso – Bass Player
Lloyd Mbele – Keyboards
Mrs. Thembeka Khumalo – Backing Vocals
Ernest Tamsanqa Mgcina – Sound Engineer
Bernice Boikanyo – Drums
Tomlin Motshumu Kganyago – Lead Guitar
Khemani Khosa – Road Manager
Martin Myers – Manager Martmyers@gmail.com

Special thanks to Gareth and Jako, very special to receive a compliment like the one below.

Grateful to Molife Kumona Editor-in-Chief of GQ for seeing the work and putting Sipho on the cover as well as a huge spread in the magazine.

Onward and upward to 2024 …. Amazing how time moves so quickly, I have been working with Sipho since 1985. 

What was your style identity in the 70’s during your “Harari” days and how has that evolved into the sleek suiting you are known for now? 

 The Afro hair hippie  look. I have always maintained image enhances artistic stature, so I always evolved my style in accordance with trends, I do always want to look good, even in the early days when the band started, remember the Beaters evolved into Harari, we had a look, we had style.

 What are the 3 most essential items you could never perform without?  (be it a lucky charm/favourite piece of equipment or fashion/jewellery item?)

 My fashionable  spectacles, I like Raybans,  a good time piece,  and my Versace sneakers make me  feel good.

 You are a master of many instruments from drums and piano to flute and saxophone, what is your earliest or most favourite musical memory?

 A performance at high school (the school I attended was Orlando West at the top end of the now famous  Vilakazi Street)  with my Band the Beaters.

 There’s an immediate correlation between time keeping in watches and time keeping in rhythm, what other sensibilities do music and watch making share?  

 Time keeping gives  rhythmic sensibility and  makes for extraordinary musicianship and discipline, be on time for all things you do, respect time and space in the music.

 The Rolex you are wearing in our fashion editorial is aptly called the “Wild Cat”, in a career spanning nearly 50 years having done and seen it all, what’s next?
Hopefully continued good health, I am 72 believe it or not. The stage is my happy place and  the beat goes on and my desire is to inspire the youth to take charge.

I am deeply involved in the NPC Music Exchange  www.musicexchange.org.za for last 13 years and would like to see more practical  business music education happen which Music Exchange does so well.

 Neva Burnout, Smiles