Stimela is a South African Afro-fusion band that emerged as a prominent force in the 1980s, evolving from a previous group called The Cannibals. The band was founded by the late, self-taught guitarist Ray 'Chikapa' Phiri, along with drummer Isaac Mtshali, keyboardist Lloyd Lelosa, and bassist Jabu Sibumbe. All had been part of The Cannibals, the backing band for 1970s soul star Jacob 'Mpharanyana' Radebe until his passing in 1978. They rebranded as Stimela, which means "steam train" in Nguni languages, after a formative experience where they were stranded in Maputo, Mozambique and had to sell their belongings to take a train home.
The band's sound blends genres like traditional African music, Afrobeat, funk, jazz, R&B, and mbaqanga, often featuring sophisticated lyrics by Phiri that confronted apartheid repression. They released several gold and platinum-selling albums during the 1980s, considered classics, including *Fire, Passion and Ecstasy* (1982/1984), *Shadows, Fear and Pain* (1985), and *Trouble In the Land of Plenty* (1989). One of their most memorable songs, "Whispers in the Deep," was restricted from broadcast by the former South African Broadcasting Corporation due to its lyrical content encouraging people to "speak your mind, don't be afraid."
Stimela gained international recognition when Ray Phiri and others in the band featured on Paul Simon's Grammy-winning *Graceland* album, with Phiri also serving as the album's arranger. Phiri later collaborated with Simon on his *Rhythm of the Saints* album. The band experienced numerous lineup changes over the years, with musicians such as Charlie Ndlovu, Nana 'Coyote' Motijoane, Thapelo Khomo, and Ntokozo Zungu playing key roles. Although Phiri left in the early 1990s to pursue a solo career and the band split, they have reemerged occasionally to record and perform, continuing to captivate audiences with their distinctly African soul.