Don Laka

Donald Mahwetša Laka (born 15 December 1958 in Mamelodi, Pretoria), professionally known as Don Laka, is a South African jazz musician, songwriter and music producer. He is co-founder of Kalawa Jazzmee and owner of Bokone Music. Laka is interviewed in the documentary SHARP SHARP! - the kwaito story (2003), where he discusses his role in developing the dance music form known as kwaito.

Albums that have sold more than 100,000 copies, winning gold and then platinum awards include;

Laka finished the Royal School of Music with a Grade 8 on the classical guitar, and later obtaining his licentiate in high school music teaching in 1979. Apartheid laws prevented him from enrolling at the Pretoria Conservatoire, so he began working as a clerk in a grocery store.

From 1980 to 1981, he joined the Afro fusion group, Sakhile that was formed by Sipho Gumede and Khaya Mahlangu. The group revolutionised South African music, and set a trend for groups like Bayete. He played with many South African notables such as Joy, Brenda Fassie, Sipho Mabuse and Sankomota.

Laka recorded his first big hit with a group called "Umoja" before moving on to form his own British-rock influenced band, "Ymage". The group performed together for ten years and recorded 12 Albums, including an album produced by Tony Visconti (David Bowie, T Rex) who passed on much of his knowledge, allowing Laka to explore new territory as a producer and arranger.

In the 90s, after a stint living in Germany and playing in a South African Jazz/mbhaqanga band, Laka formed an independent record label called "Kalawa Jazzmee" and produced songs by artists such as Brothers of Peace and Boom Shaka.

In 1990, Don began writing big orchestral arrangements for Sibongile Khumalo. She performed his songs at notable venues such as the National Symphony Orchestra of South Africa. In 1991, he also collaborated with Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Rebecca Malope.

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