Mercy Still Going Strong

Singer wants to deal with the exploitation of artists by music bosses

- Tumelo Muteme

VETERAN pop star, Mercy Pakela, found fame in the 80s when she took South Africa by storm with her hit track, Ayashisa Amateki. With over 30 years in the music industry, she has come out stronger than ever before.

HOW IT ALL STARTED 

At the age of 16, the hopeful songstress hitchhiked from Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape to Johannesburg in pursuit of a musical career.

She stayed at Mzimhlophe Women’s Hostel in Soweto and later auditioned for Patience Africa, who housed her and took her on musical tours where she was paid between R5 and R7 for her performances. She then released her debut album in 1985. Fast forward to 2017, her wacky hairstyle and energy have not disappeared over the years.