Arthur Mafokate

Arthur Mafokate (born 10 July 1969) is a South African kwaito musician and producer. In 1994, he released his debut album titled Windy Windy with the hit track "Amagents Ayaphanda”. He became known as one of several "Kings of Kwaito".

Family and Childhood
Sello Arthur Mafokate was born on July 10, 1969. He is the son of Olympic equestrian and philanthropist Enos Mafokate and the brother of the late kwaito star Oupa Makhendlas Mafokate. He was born in Soweto, Gauteng Province, but his family later moved to Midrand. As a child, Arthur took piano lessons, and had a keen interest in soccer, dance and music.

Early Career
Arthur worked as a model, receiving the title 'Mr Soweto' in 1992. He worked as producer and sound engineer for several popular South African artists such as Sun, Taboo and the New Age Kids.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Arthur was part of a trio called Out of Control, and a duo called Q-Face. Other groups in which he was involved include Heaven, Twin Prestige and Helela. In 1994, he established himself as a kwaito artist with the release of the album Windy Windy under CCP Records with title tracks 'Ayaphanda' and 'Where's The Bass'.

He became a backing dancer for artists including Brenda Fassie, Monwa & Son and Johnny Mokhali.

First Kwaito Hit
He released the first kwaito hit with his 1995 song "Kaffir" from the self titled EP which to date has sold over 500,000 copies. Its lyrics reflect the new freedoms that emerged after the political changes of 1994, including the implementation of a new constitution and democratic election system. The title, "Kaffir," is a derogatory term used mostly in South Africa as a racial slur to refer to black people. In his song, Mafokate protests against the use of the word "kaffir," claiming that his employer (called "baas" or boss) would not like to be referred to as "bobbejaan," or baboon.

At the 2021 Mzansi Kwaito and House Music Awards, his single "Hlokoloza" received a nomination for Best Kwaito song.

Contributions to Kwaito and 999 Record Label
Over the course of his career, Arthur introduced dance styles such as twalatsa and qopetsa. He founded his own record label, 999, alongside Joe Nina, and released the album Blenda Fashion under the name Bambezela. Bambezela would also release ''Zama Zama Yo!' in 1995, after which he went by Arthur. As a mixer and sound engineer, he went by the moniker 'Mix Maestro'.

By 2001, Arthur's 999-signed artists included Abashante, Supasta, Pantsula, Ishmael, All Stars, Queen, Purity, Nestum, Speedy, Zombo, Stitch, New School and Malazzi. Lira, Press, Power, Marabi, Chomee and Sgonondo would follow later.

Arthur also presented the television show Ezimtoti in 2001.

Controversy
In 2017, the artist Cici, who was then his partner and signed to Mafokate's label, accused him of physical abuse during the time they were living together. Cici had a serious injury and had to be treated in a hospital. He was arrested and released on bail pending a court case. After Cici posted images showing the injuries she sustained, widespread condemnation on Mafokate led to the cancelling of the 100MenMarch, which was a march to highlight gender based violence perpetrated by mostly men against women and children. Mafokate denied all allegations and was found not guilty by Midrand Magistrate court in 2019.

On 13 January 2023, Arthur Mafokate was alleged to be involved in the misappropriation of R56m in community development funds from the National Lotteries Commission. The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) obtained a preservation order to freeze a plot, a farm and three luxury properties valued at R53m, one of which belongs to music legend Arthur Mafokate. The properties are linked to fraud and corruption at the National Lotteries Commission (NLC).

Allegations of unlawful enrichment at SAMRO
After his removal in 2018 as a board member, in 2019 the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) sued Mafokate for unlawful enrichment. According to the lawsuit, Mafokate and a number of other members of the leadership of SAMRO overpaid themselves by more than R1.6 million rand. Mafokate himself was allegedly irregularly overpaid by R84 000.

SAMRO would later become the centre of a scandal regarding the underpayment of royalties to artists, much of this taking place during Mafokate's time working for the organisation.

Awards
In 1998 he won the Song of the Year for his song 'Oyi Oyi' at the South African Music Awards (SAMA). Mafokate, credited as the King of Kwaito, was the first artist to win the SAMA category of 'Song of the Year' as voted for by the public. He was recognised for his contribution to this new generation of music at the 2007 FNB South African Music Awards. His victory in the 'Song of the Year' category depicts the popularity of kwaito as a music genre which does not analyse the historical black struggle like traditional South African music has often done.

Making his voice heard through the song 'Oyi Oyi', Mafokate hit a particular note with South African audiences "in a year when the competition was strong, indicating his enduring appeal for his hundreds of thousands of fans". Unlike the often apolitical characteristics of kwaito music, Mafokate did in fact address the lower class black experience in South Africa in much of his music as is revealed in the lyrics of "Kaffir". Mafokate describes his success in these words: "I commit myself in everything that I do. Give me a script now to portray a character, for example, and you'll see my dedication. I'd never claim my looks have anything to do with my success. It's entirely what comes from within me". Arthur was honored at the 2016 South African Metro FM Music Awards with the Lifetime Achievement Award for recognition of his 22-year-long successful entertainment career.