Afrika Ndlovu

Amapiano is a music genre that is popular with the youth, but the genre’s current fave is a 65-year-old grandmother.

Gee Six Five’s “Obani Lababantu” became a trending topic on social media about two weeks ago. To some, it was a shock that former school teacher and PhD candidate Nkosingiphile Olpha Selepe would take on such youthful music. To some it was a breath of fresh air. Whatever the reason for the conversation, Selepe under her stage name of Gee Six Five, went all the way to the top of South Africa’s download charts.

She says this was to inspire others to continue chasing their dreams.

“I want to show both young and old people that there is power in following your dreams, and that there is not age to limit to when you can become what you want to be.”

Gee Six Five says she is done and will stop at being a one hit wonder. Her stage name is an acronym for Gogo who is 65.

“I cannot compete with myself in the sense that I don’t think I will release a song that beats this one. The purpose of this song has been fulfilled and I am happy with the results. I have no aspirations to be a full time artist, I’m just happy that people like the song and the message has been conveyed. Everything happens when the timing is right, and the exposure the song is getting is testament to that.”

Selepe shares that she will be taking bookings based on the dignity of the event and will not be performing at night clubs to protect her reputation. However, a music video for her hit single is in the works.

“We’ve started shooting the music video, but we are not done. Patriotism is very important, and I insisted that we add my hometown of Newcastle and the people who know me to the music so it feels authentic.”

Selepe seems to be the ultimate dream chaser. Apart from her PhD studies at UKZN, her teaching has even taken her abroad as she was a school teacher in Britain.

“So many lecturers from Amajuba college who saw me studying have also gone on to be highly educated because of the precedence I set when I worked with them. I only want to inspire everyone to fight for their dreams.”

Picture: elegance.com