Penelope Jane Dunlop popularly known as PJ Powers. Following the 1988 ban, Powers was encouraged to continue singing by Nelson Mandela, who sent her an encouraging letter from his Victor Verster prison cell in Cape Town where he was incarcerated. PHOTO COURTESY
Penelope Jane Dunloppopularly known as PJ Powers was born in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, on July 16, 1960. In 1979 she formed the group Gymslip, along with her brother, prior to joining an all-girl group called Pantha as the lead singer. She left Pantha in 1981 to join Hotline band.
She describes her music as Afro-rock, and has recorded 15 albums — The Best of PJ Powers and Hotline, Jabulani, Help, There Is an Answer, Wozani, Music for Africa, Current, We Are Growing, Burnout and Destiny, among others.
