Loyiso Bala and PJ Powers’ cherished bond, forged in the unexpected setting of a 1995 Rugby World Cup, has been instrumental to the musician he is today and has stood the test of time.
Johannesburg, South Africa (18 September 2024) – Unexpected friendships, often filled with hilarious or heartwarming stories, are among life’s greatest gifts and have a charming way of lasting a lifetime!
Reflecting on his unique and invaluable bond with PJ “Thandeka” Powers was Loyiso Bala, when they first met back in 1995. He was just 15 at the time and was a member of the acclaimed Drakensberg Boys Choir.
The choir has been asked to sing the new national anthem with PJ at the opening of the ’95 Rugby World Cup.
“After a full day of rehearsals at the stadium, around 10 pm, we got an unexpected call: we needed to record the old anthem because the Springboks hadn’t had time to learn the new one,” Loyiso explained.
For some of us who may not know, Loyisa shared that back in the day, the old anthem was Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika and Die Stem, sung as two separate pieces, not the united version we have today.
“So, there we were, in the early hours before the big event, recording with PJ. And while the Boks didn’t even sing along during the opening, that night I made a friend and sister for life.”
From that moment on, the two have grown to become great friends, and PJ played a valuable role in supporting Loyiso and sharing his passion for music.
“She became not only a mentor but a true supporter of my talent, always encouraging me to keep going.”
Nearly 30 years later, their friendship remains as strong as ever, and they continue to collaborate and inspire each other.
Sources: Loyiso Bala
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