Wildebeest Records

Formed and run by Eckard Potgieter out of CD club "Mainline Music" in 1995, the "fiercely independent" South African Wildebeest Records made a significant impact on the local scene by promoting Afrikaans (and some English-language) rock. The name of the label was derived from late-70s/early-80s cult band Wildebeest and, suitably enough, their first release was Jack Hammer's "Death of a Gypsy" (both bands featuring Piet Botha). Other signings included Valiant Swart, Anton Goosen, Koos Kombuis, Dorp, Wonderboom, Akkedis, as well as solo releases by Nibs van der Spuy and Syd Kitchen. Matrimonial troubles in 1998, however, nearly brought the label to an end but by 2000 Theuns Jordaan's "Vreemde Stad" album resurrected the flame, and a further three albums were recorded in the "Melkstraat Studios" which were built in 2002. In 2004, Mr. Potgieter "relocated to the bush" to live on a farm outside Pretoria where a new studio has been completed, the label continuing as an exclusive label signing artists by invitation only.