My City - Soweto: Sipho 'Hotstix' Mabuse

Musician and family man

I am... sometimes an introvert, sometimes an extrovert depending on my mood.

Where were you born? Soweto.

Where do you live? Pimville.

Who do you share your house with? My partner Pontso and children Biko, Naledi and Palesa.

How did you get into your career? It started when our headmaster at Orlando West High School wanted us to raise funds through a performing band. I've never looked back.

Do you ever get tired of hearing or playing Burn Out? I don't play it myself, but I do hear it when others play it. My reaction varies, because sometimes I dismiss it. At other times I marvel that I wrote a song that still rocks.

What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? I would jokingly say, don't become a musician, go get a degree. But seriously, I would say, be more committed to what you do.

You were in the group Harari, and then worked solo. Which is better? Both are important. I think that you go through a stage where you need to work in a group and it's fun. But there comes a point when you do have to work as an individual.

Which young South African musicians' work impresses you? I think that the majority of them are very talented, so it's hard to single one out. But what I can say is that Simphiwe Dana always challenges her boundaries when it comes to the music that she creates.

What's your most treasured possession? My family. They are the more important to me than anything.

What's your favourite building in Soweto? The Hector Pieterson memorial. I also like Felicia Mabuza-Suttle's home in Dube. It was the first double-storey house built in Soweto.

What's the ugliest thing about Soweto? The dirt. You find dump sites everywhere.

What is the most memorable moment you've had in Soweto? Meeting Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu after they had been released from Robben Island. I had just come back from a tour and we were invited to meet them. I was let into the house through the back and sat in the living room. Nelson Mandela came out of his bedroom and I was the first person he saw. He greeted me as "Hotstix".

How do you get around? There are a couple of cars in this yard, so I use whichever one is available.

I can't go a day without ... reading newspapers.

If you inherited R100-million, what would you do with it? I would give some to charity because I'm already involved with some charities. I would also build homes for homeless people and then use the rest to give educational bursaries to people.

I always collect... art. I've been collecting since I was in my early 20s.

My friends and I like... conversations and debate about music and politics.

Have you ever taken public transport in Soweto? I take it quite often. And of course, a lot of people are shocked that I use public transport. Public transport is here for convenience, so I use it when I have to. I would also like to try out the Rea Vaya bus service.

I met my partner... outside Kippies four years ago. I went up to her and asked to buy her some tea or coffee and we struck up a conversation.

If money could buy happiness ... I'd still use it for things close to my heart, such as doing charity work and helping children.

Loves & Hates

Sport on TV: Especially when Barcelona beats Real Madrid.

Watching an act of kindness: There's nothing more fulfilling.

Watching children play: There's never malice or competitiveness.

Interacting with people who are dedicated to whatever they do: You can't buy that with all the money in the world.

Friendly people: You never have to make excuses about who you are.

Jealousy: It creates negative energy.

Pompous people: They are a reflection of their own weakness.

Materialism: Why does anyone need to have five flashy, expensive cars?

Dishonesty: It's one of my pet hates.

Crooks. There are so many of these around, particularly in big business. Many operate without conscience in the name of "business".