Dolly Rathebe

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Dolly Rathebe (1928 - 2004) was a South African musician and actress.

Rathebe's career began in 1949, when she appeared as a nightclub singer in the film Jim Comes to Jo'burg. As a result of this appearance, she was chosen to appear on the cover of Drum, a magazine. At the photo shoot, however, she and the photographer were arrested under the Immorality Act, which forbade interracial relationships.

Rathebe became a national star by the end of the 1950s, touring with such bands as the Harlem Swingsters and Alf Herbert's African Jazz and Variety. Her international renown came in 1964, after she played with the Elite Swingsters. She then retired, starting a shebeen in Cape Town, returning when the Elite Swingsters reunited in 1989.

In 2001, Rathebe received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the South African Music Awards.

Rathebe died on September 16, 2004 from a stroke.