PJ Powers Biography: Age, Husband, Songs, Albums, Net Worth, Career, Activism, Awards

Penelope Jane Dunlop, widely known as PJ Powers or Thandeka, is a South African singer, songwriter, and performer celebrated for her powerful vocals and influential role in bridging cultural divides during and after apartheid.

She rose to fame as the lead singer of the rock band Hotline in the 1980s, with hits like “Jabulani” and “World in Union,” the latter becoming an anthem for the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Her Afro-pop fusion and anti-apartheid activism earned her the nickname Thandeka, meaning “Loved One,” from South African audiences.

Profile

• Full Name: Penelope Jane Dunlop
• Stage Name: PJ Powers, Thandeka
• Born: July 16, 1960
• Age: 64 years old
• Birthplace: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
• Nationality: South African
• Occupation: Singer, Songwriter, Performer, Author, Philanthropist
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Dunlop
• Siblings: 1
• Spouse: None
• Children: None
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $3 million–5 million

Early Life and Education

Penelope Jane Dunlop was born on July 16, 1960, in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, during the apartheid era.

Raised by her parents, whose names are not publicly documented, she grew up alongside one brother, though his name remains private. Details about her formal education are sparse, as she pursued music early, joining bands by her late teens.

Her ethnicity is White South African, and her religion is not publicly disclosed.

Career

Penelope Jane Dunlop began her career in 1979 as the lead singer of the all-female band Pantha, which disbanded after a year. She then formed Gymslip with her brother before joining Hotline in 1980, a rock band that transitioned to Afro-pop in 1983.

Their hit “Jabulani,” written by bassist George van Dyk, and her own songs like “You’re So Good to Me” (1982) gained widespread popularity in South Africa and neighboring countries like Botswana and Namibia. Her 1986 win in the SABC Song for South Africa competition with Don Clarke’s “Sanbonani” brought her national fame.

As Hotline disbanded in 1987, PJ Powers launched a solo career, releasing 15 albums and hits like “There Is an Answer” (1986) and “Feel So Strong” (1983, with Steve Kekana).

Her 1995 collaboration with Ladysmith Black Mambazo on “World in Union” for the Rugby World Cup became an international success and South Africa’s unofficial rugby anthem. Despite a 1988 apartheid-era ban from radio and TV for performing at a Zimbabwe charity concert, encouragement from Nelson Mandela fueled her activism and music.

She performed at Mandela’s 1994 inauguration and his 85th birthday in 2003.

In recent years, PJ Powers has remained a vibrant figure, releasing singles like “Stay” and “Destiny” in 2020, which gained airplay across Africa. Her 2014 memoir, Here I Am, became a bestseller, and she tours internationally, performing in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand.

Honored with awards like the 2003 Institute for Justice and Reconciliation Award and a 2013 Living Legends Award, she continues to inspire through music, philanthropy with organizations like Reach For a Dream, and motivational speaking, solidifying her legacy as a South African icon.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @thepjpowers
• Facebook Handle: PJ Powers Thandeka
• Twitter Handle: @PJPowers1

Personal Life

PJ Powers is single and has no children. She has kept her romantic life private, with no public records of past marriages or relationships.

In recent years, she addressed speculation about her sexuality, stating it is irrelevant to her identity as an artist and activist.

Discography

• The Best of PJ Powers and Hotline (1984)
• Jabulani (1985)
• There Is an Answer (1986)
• Wozani (1987)
• Music for Africa (1988)
• Current (1990)
• We Are Growing (1992)
• Burnout (1995)
• World in Union (1995, with Ladysmith Black Mambazo)
• Destiny (2016)

Net Worth

Penelope Jane Dunlop, known as PJ Powers, has an estimated net worth of $3–5 million USD as of 2025. Her wealth stems from her music career, including album sales, performances, and royalties from hits like “World in Union” and “Jabulani.”

Additional income comes from her memoir, motivational speaking, and brand endorsements.