About
South African label founded by prominent talent scout and producer Rupert Bopape in 1964. The imprint was central to the development and popularity of popular "black music" - later known as mbaqanga - from the mid-1960s through the 1970s. The Motella label popularised artists including the Mahotella Queens, Makgona Tsohle Band, Simon Mahlathini Nkabinde, Izintombi Zomoya and several others. The label was operated by the Mavuthela Music Company, then the African division of Gallo Record Company. Mavuthela's labels were phased out in the late 1980s following Gallo's merger with Gramophone Record Co. (Pty.) Ltd..
