Penny Penny

Eric Kulani Giyani Nkovani or Gezani Kobane (born 1962), better known by his stage names Penny Penny and Papa Penny is a South African musician and politician, Aged 19, he worked on a West Driefontein goldmine near Carletonville, and soon left to escape the region's poor working conditions, although he won several breakdancing trophies before his departure. His breakthrough came with the recording and release of his 1994 debut album Shaka Bundu, which was recorded in a week using little gear but went on to sell 250,000 copies in the country. The music features Tsonga (or Shangaan) disco sound, which emerged in Penny's native Tsonga culture, fused with contemporary house music from the United States. Unusually, the songs on the album were recorded in the Tsonga or Xitsonga language, He stayed in Peta Teanet 's mansion in Tzaneen for 3 months while he was being taught music by the King of Disco Peta Teanet.

Career He recorded several further albums, including Laphinda Shangaan (1997) and Makanjta Jive (1998), both of which outsold Shaka Bundu, His newfound popularity spread to the clubs of Los Angeles. In 2017, he began creating music in a style he called "heavy gum," after growing tired of being referred to as the "Shangaan Disco King". He said: "I never labelled myself as Shangaan Disco King, other people did. I am tired of people knowing me only because of my language. Music is more than the language you speak." His first single in the style was "Goldie Bone."

As a politician, Penny worked in the African National Congress (ANC) as a council member.

Since 2017, he also stars in his own reality series Penny Ahee on Mzansi Magic, which was commissioned after a successful appearance as a judge on Clash of the Choirs.

Penny Penny is married and has 25 children, with 23 of them from previous relationships.

In 2024, Penny left the ANC to join uMkhonto weSizwe (MKP), and was elected as a member of the National Assembly in the 2024 South African general election.

Penny resigned from MKP in May 2026, citing infighting and attacks from within the party. He joined the Afrika Mayibuye Movement shortly after.

Discography Shaka Bundu (1994) Yogo Yogo (1996) Makajanta Jive (1997) La Phinda Ishangaane (1997) "Juri Juri" (1998) Bum Bum (1999) Viyana Viyana (2000) The King of Tamakhwaya 1 (2001) The King of Tamakhwaya 2 (2002) The King vs the General (2009, collaborated with General Muzka) Pachi (2024)