by Obakeng Maje

Johannesburg-Ralf GUM is one of the most respected figures in the house music scene for the distinctive qualities in his exceptional productions and DJ-sets.

Since Ralf’s DJ career started in 1990 he always stayed true to his passion for cool and diverse house music.

Harmony & Soul & Groove – are the main ingredients, but just some aspects of Ralf’s typical sound. With an instinctive feeling for the right vibe, he convincingly played at more than 400 German and international spots, including gigs all over Europe, Asia, the Middle East, South- and North America.

In autumn 2008 Ralf toured in South Africa for the first time with great response and was the first German house DJ who was booked in Botswana.

Since that time Ralf’s punishing deejay schedule includes regularly dates in Southern Africa.

Ralf GUM – Never Leaves You – album GOLD awarded in South Africa!

“This is a definite highlight in my career.

To reach such a success with a deep soulful house CD release is nowadays probably only possible in the world’s #1 house-nation Mzansi” He said.

Ralf GUM produced music since 1993 and worked with notable artists such as Inaya Day, Beady Belle, Robert Owens, Kenny Bobien, Michael Procter, Wunmi, Concha Buika or the fascinating Monique Bingham. He released on and remixed for top house labels like Mn2S, Papa, Peppermint Jam, Tommy Boy, Compose, Sole Music, Look At You or Defected.

His first remix for Defected’s classic record ‘Love is what you need (Look ahead)’ by King Unique instantly went to the 1 position on Traxsource’s download charts in March 2009.

Ralf has released numerous well-known songs, amongst them the soulful hit of 2008 “Kissing Strangers” (GOGO Music) featuring Monique Bingham, which was a bestseller in its genre.

Thus it scored the number 1 in the “Top 100 Singles 2008” and the “biggest house track 2008” in the annual chart of the ultra-credible Traxsource download-shop.

Alone in 2009 Ralf’s works made it 4 times to the top spot in the Traxsource sales chart and he claimed various more Top 10 positions.

But his success of course isn’t limited to the Traxsource charts.

He had various 1 download-chart positions on Clickgroove, made it to the Top 10 sales of various other download shops and his single “Little W. 12th St.” was amongst the 10 best selling house-songs of the year on the Japanese download-site Wasabeat in 2009.

His records are constantly receiving worldwide airplay and can be found in countless playlists of major radio stations including e.g. UK’s “BBC 1”, France’s “Radio FG” or South Africa’s “Metro FM”. Moreover he gained number one positions in the playlists “YFM’s Urban Top 40” or Botswana’s Yarona Mascom Charts where he stayed for instance for 4 weeks with “Complicated feat. Kafele” in May 2010. Further acclaimed hits of Ralf include “All This Love For You” (GOGO Music) featuring Diamondancer, “Ponle Tumbao” (Tommy Boy / Flamingo Discos / Milk & Sugar), “Helena Brown – Canção Dourada” (Peppermint Jam) or „Ralf GUM feat. Concha Buika – Nobody can touch me” (GOGO Music). Ralf GUM’s productions became a worldwide renown trademark in the house scene and UK’S TTR magazine called Ralf “one of Germany’s finest” already in 2005.

“Many people deserve a thank you, as they helped to achieve this, I almost don’t know where to begin … 

of course many thanks to Nivalito for composing the songs with me, all vocalists (Monique Bingham, Caron Wheeler, Jaidene Veda, @Oluhle, Robert Owens, Jocelyn Mathieu, Kafele Bandele, Kenny Bobien, Jon Pierce) for their outstanding performances, Phil Kullmann (aka Raw Artistic Soul) for the support on recordings, Christos for setting up a string of beautiful launch parties and everything else he does for me, all radio- and TV shows who gave me the opportunity for an appearance, press- and online-media who supported, Themba and Kaiser, Masterlab, HOUSE AFRIKA and Sony Music Entertainment – Africa for believing in the project, (everybody else I might have forgotten here now ;)) and FIRST OF ALL: YOU out there who bought the album so far” said Ralf.

But Ralf not only convinces as a producer, but also his DJ-sets have helped him building up his reputation as an forward thinking tastemaker. During his career he had various residencies in South-Germany including the “Airport” (Wuerzburg /Germany), which was the living-room for his interpretation of house for more than 11 years. During more than a decade he captured the crowd with his sessions every Friday night and hosted other worlds-top artists like DJ Gregory, Martin Solveig, Lenny Fontana or Frankie Feliciano, to name just a few. End of 2006 Ralf started his residency at Climax in Stuttgart (Germany), where he can be found regularly since then. From 2002 till 2007 Ralf was holding a bi-weekly event at “Studio-Lounge” (Wuerzburg, Germany) which was called “the deepest and most soulful party of Germany” by the Subculture Magazine.

In 2009 Ralf’s tight schedule included 2 extensive South Africa tours and Ralf was invited by DJU and the department of Arts and Culture to conduct various work shops at the Southern African Music conference.

In 2010 and 2011 Ralf was selected again as international panellist for the annual Southern African Music Conference where he was teaching about music-production, label business, DJ-ing and more.

Nowadays he is frequently found in various South African cities. As a DJ Ralf is steadily travelling and played at some of the best events around the world, including e.g. the “Southport Weekender” (Southport, UK), “Rave on Snow” (Saalbach, Austria), “Nature One” (Germany), “Sundaze” (Jakarta, Indonesia), “Dancevalley” (Amsterdam, Netherlands), “Mo’Vibes” (Munich, Germany) or the “Vodacom Unlimited Festival” (Orlando Stadium, Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa) which was attended by more than 15000 people. He graced the decks at clubs like “360” (Dubai, UAE), “El Devino” (Ibiza, Spain), “Amika” (Miami, USA), “The Room” (Tokyo, Japan), “ECU / Echoes” (Rimini, Italy), “Garito Café” (Palma de Mallorca, Spain), “Disco” (Sao Paulo, Brasil), “Volksgarten” (Vienna, Austria), “House 22” (Pretoria, South Africa), “Days like this” (Birmingham, UK), “Barokko” (Budapest, Hungary) “Marula Cafe” (Madrid, Spain), “Soulstice” (Oslo, Norway), “Oxa” (Zürich, Switzerland), “Atlantis” (Basel, Switzerland), “Stereo Sushi” (Antwerp, Belgium), “Mansion” (Amsterdam, Netherlands), “GURU Club” (Tibisli, Georgia), “Pacha” (Palma de Mallorca, Spain) or “Cocoon” (Frankfurt, Germany).

“Stay tuned…it is not done yet” he outlines. 

Ralf GUM embarked on the development of his own record label GOGO Music in 2001.

With strong ambitions and his love for music being the driving force, GOGO Music has become Germany’s, if not one of world’s most reputable soulful house music labels.

Late 2005 GOGO Music was called “one of the hottest imprints around” by UK’s leading magazine “Blues & Soul” and Germany’s “Subculture” wrote that “GOGO Music is the prime German house label”. In April 2009 Chicago’s best house music publication “5 Magazine” wrote, that “GOGO Music has become synonymous with the best Deep House produced in Europe” and 2010 UK’s magazine “SoulM8” certified that “GOGO Music is “one of Germany’s best independent labels”.

With his label-work Ralf has been pivotal for the international breakthrough of artists like Raw Artistic Soul or Black Coffee and the discovery of many other outstanding talents.

In 2003 Ralf initiated the GOGO Music radio-show.

What began as a monthly show transmitted on one internet-radio rapidly became one of the most popular broadcasts within the house community and beyond.

Since early 2006 the radio show is done on a weekly basis and is to date aired by more than 30 FM- and internet-stations around the globe.

The GOGO Music radio show residents Ralf GUM and Benny Pecoraio (aka Ben Moss) plus few selected guests are presenting hebdomadal nothing but the finest house music in a pure one hour DJ mix.

Next to his Ralf GUM productions, he started two further projects. “SUGAR BEAT”, is a collaboration with drummer Steffen Meder which developed out of their unique live performance: “Jazzy Live Drums & Uplifting Spinning”. With SUGAR BEAT’s irresistible sound a new broken beat style is being created. After some sweet remixes on GOGO Music, in 2006 the first own productions have been released on the “GOGO Music Spring Collection 06”. Together with soul-mate Benny Pecoraio, Ralf joined forces and started “4 Ears”.

Their first release ‘Can’t Be Without You’ was signed to Canadian deep house label Iwanai Music and hit immediately the Traxsource Top10.

During his career Ralf had the pleasure to compile and mix various CD-Compilations including for example “Arrival Vol. I” in 2004, a double Mix-CD together with Howard Donald (of famous pop-group Take That), for which they toured together all over Germany.

As well in 2004 Ralf’s compilation “Studio – the finest in lounge and house music”, was released and selected as CD of the month in the December edition of Germany’s “Raveline” magazine.

In February 2005 the first GOGO Music label-compilation “GO!” including highlights of the first 3 years label work came out. It was called the best compilation of the year by UK’S “TTR” magazine.

In October 2006 the second part “GO!!” hit the market and achieved likewise attention and success as the first edition.

In 2006 Ralf GUM held his first GOGO Music Winter Music Conference event in Miami with great success. With an impressive line-up including e.g. Kenny Dixon Jr aka Moodyman, Theo Parrish, Markus Enochson, Glenn Underground plus the GOGO Music DJs, the party went down in a storm and was one of the most talked about at the conference. 2007 saw GOGO Music teaming up with Atal Music and Bubble Soul for a joint WMC event at Hotel Victor, called “Yes Please”. With an equally great line-up including e.g. Jamie Lewis, Raw Artistic Soul and many others, it was a great success and the kick-off for further “Yes Please” parties:

The critical acclaimed WMC event in 2008 at Sagamore and the ADE 2008 event at Mansion. More highlights worth to adduce are Ralf’s appearance at MTV’s “Battle of the DJs” in April 2003 and several invitations to the You.FM Clubnight , a show dedicated to electronic music and club culture, which was transmitted on the German national radio-and TV-station Hessischer Rundfunk (2 times in 2005, one time in 2006, 2007 and 2009).

In 2008 Ralf GUM unveiled his long awaited debut masterpiece album titled “Uniting Music” on his label GOGO Music. Composing a continuous piece of music, seamless and blended into a luscious texture of soulful-, afro-and latin-house and jazz inspired grooves, Ralf showcased his ability to create wonderful original songs. With each song intertwining with another, he’s pushing the boundaries well beyond the traditional dj mix sense! Almost seeming like one beautiful track the whole album contained it all: really pretty dreamy tracks, some real groovin’ live sounding deals and some late night slices of hypnotic house, too. The album received great plaudit worldwide, as for example UK’s “M8” Magazine called the CD „simply one of the best albums of the year” and the German 3Sat TV show “Kulturzeit” wrote on its web-site that “no single second of the album bores”. “Uniting Music” was released by Rambling Records in Japan and by Soul Candi in South Africa, too.

The hallmark of Ralf’s sound is his love for jazzy harmonies coupled with wicked underground beats. But the distinctive groove isn’t the only reason for Ralf’s success – his passion for all things soulful shines through in all he does. This helps him creating a simply irresistible groove every time he emerges from the studio or works the turntables. Due to his successful work in various areas there is no denying that Ralf GUM has established in the top-league of the most prolific dj/producers in the house scene.

Links: 

Label-website: http://www.GOGO-Music.net

Artist-web-site: http://www.RalfGUM.com

Facebook-site: facebook.com/Ralf.GUM.GOGO 

Myspace-site: http://www.myspace.com/RalfGUM

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/RalfGUM

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/RalfGUM 

Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/ralf-gum-gogo-music

IMPRESSUM

Ralf Benkert

Am Heegring 25

97450 Arnstein-Gänheim

Germany 

Tel & Fax: +49 (0) 9363 995525

Persönlich Haftender: Ralf Benkert

Umsatzsteuer-Identifikationsnummer gemäß § 27a Umsatzsteuergesetz: DE 250826181

Inhaltlich Verantwortlicher gemäß § 10 Abs. 3 MDStV: Ralf Benkert

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Bloemfontein – Alliance partners Cosatu and the ANC are headed for another showdown soon after the Mangaung conference as the unionists prepare to launch a strike action to demand radical transformation policies, placing further strain on already testy relations between the two organisations.

On Sunday, ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe launched a scathing attack on Cosatu at the party’s national conference in Mangaung for failing to contain its criticisms of the government within the alliance.

“It is always awkward when any alliance partner pronounces negatively on the other alliance partners and the other partners only discover the problem in the media. Alerting the other alliance partner is not tantamount to giving away the right to take independent decisions.”

The relationship between the allies has been troubled by Cosatu’s opposition to the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (e-tolling) in Gauteng, the Protection of State Information Bill and general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi’s public criticism of the ANC’s corruption and poor governance record.

Just before the ANC’s Mangaung conference, the trade union federation announced that it would seek to embark on a socioeconomic protest to spark a radical transformation of the economy.

“Whilst 1994 marked an important breakthrough and a crucial turning point in the struggles of the working class in South Africa, the democracy that it has ushered in has yet to deliver tangible material benefits to the vast majority of the working class,” Cosatu said in a statement.

“The Freedom Charter declares that in a democratic South Africa, ‘There Shall Be Work and Security’! It further demands that: ‘The state shall recognise the right and duty of all to work’. Yet, all the policies that have been adopted in the past 18 years have failed to deliver on the fundamentals: unemployment reduction, poverty elimination and the reduction of social and economic inequality.”

Cosatu will demand that the ANC must enact tighter labour regulation and greater state intervention in the economy, such as a state-controlled banking system and 100% state control of the Reserve Bank.

The federation’s second largest affiliate, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) wants the outright nationalisation of economic sectors such as mining and energy.

for more details go to http://www.iol.co.za

Bloemfontein – The ANC Youth League will contest efforts by some to have its executive disbanded, Gauteng chairman Lebogang Maile said in Wednesday.

“I don’t think there is any basis to disband the executive,” Maile said on the sidelines of the ANC’s national conference in Mangaung.

A few delegates had proposed the idea during commissions on the African National Congress’s organisational renewal document.

However, it was “not a popular view”, Maile said.

“The ANC needs a strong youth league that is militant and outspoken. This will weaken the youth league,” Maile said.

ANCYL president Julius Malema was expelled from the organisation earlier this year. Spokesman Floyd Shivambu and secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa were suspended.

Since Malema’s departure the league had been led by deputy president Ronald Lamola.

Malema sent a letter to the ANC’s conference this week asking to get his job back.

Shivambu said on Monday that he, along with Malema and Magaqa, submitted the letter on Sunday to ask the party to “reverse the outcomes… that culminated in our suspensions and expulsion from the ANC”.

The three said they were willing to behave appropriately.

Maile said Malema had a right to appeal to the conference delegates to consider his situation.

“During the disciplinary hearings the leadership of the ANC kept saying they can bring it to conference (to appeal).” He said the issue would be tabled, but could not say whether delegates would be open to discussing it.

ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe on Wednesday said Malema’s letter was given to the conference too late, after the programme was adopted.

“It was too late,” Mantashe told reporters.

The matter had been “handled and was done” by the ANC’s disciplinary structures.

“It was exhausted and finished,” said Mantashe. – Sapah

ncome inequality was “a core challenge” facing South African society and it was important for all income earners to seek a “more equitable and more inclusive” economy where the benefits of economic growth were fairly distributed, Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel said yesterday.

He was responding to a question from Business Report, which asked him if it was not “hypocritical” for ministers, who earned nearly R2 million a year, to call on others to live on less in order to reduce inequality and flatten the Gini coefficient – the measure of income disparity, which in South Africa is reported to be the worst in the world.

Patel said one argument that came up in discussions over salary inequalities was that both public and private sectors needed to attract skills “from a pool that is globally mobile”.

Nevertheless, there was a recognition of “the vast gap” between the best and the lowest paid.

“Whether it is in the mining sector, or agriculture or indeed in the public sector… there is [recognition] of the vast gap between the top and bottom.”

At the time of the launch of the New Growth Path in 2010, Patel argued for an inflation peg on annual salary increases for those earning R540 000 or more a year.

He argued at the time that a modest increase above inflation was in order for employees earning between R3 000 and R20 000 a month.

blOEMFONTEIN – Disturbing details about a plot by four right-wingers to kill President Jacob Zuma and several other top government officials was made public on Tuesday.

Mark Trollip, John Keevy, Johan Prinsloo and Hein Boonzaaier were arrested over the weekend in connection with a plot to kill Zuma and other leaders at the ANC’s 53rd National Conference in Mangaung.

They face charges of treason, after allegedly plotting to overthrow the government and establish an independent Boer nation.

The families of the accused quietly observed court proceedings as evidence against the men was read out to Magistrate Monde Mahlaya.

Details heard in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court included a plan to fire mortar bombs on marquees housing ANC delegates at the party’s Mangaung conference and the execution-style murder of Zuma and some cabinet ministers during a dinner.

The court heard that the men had been plotting the attack since February.

But all the alleged planning was brought to an abrupt halt once the Free State police got wind of it from a tip-off and apprehended the men on Saturday.

Trollip was arrested on the road between Kimberley and Douglas in the Northern Cape, while Keevy was arrested at a guest house in Bloemfontein, Prinsloo in Springs and Boonzaaier in Centurion.

The accused will appear again in court on 8 January.

For more details go to ewn.co.za

Johannesburg – ANC bigwig Jackson Mthembu has lashed out at opposition leader Helen Zille, saying she is jealous of Jacob Zuma’s re-election to the helm of the ruling party.

“Remarks made by… Zille about the re-election of comrade President Jacob Zuma are nothing but political jealousy inspired by malicious desperation to have the same support enjoyed by the ANC in this country,” he said.

“The nature of the remarks… exposes Zille’s personal hatred of the ANC in her clumsy attempt to clamber the media attention given to the ANC conference.”

Her comments attempted to undermine the right and responsibility of ANC members to elect leaders to any positions of the movement, he said.

Earlier, Zille said the ANC’s national conference election results would hasten the “disintegration” and collapse of the ruling party.

“Many ANC members and many more ANC voters are feeling alienated by today’s decision in Mangaung.”

She believed it was a sad day for South Africa because Zuma’s re-election sent out a message that the ANC was a movement that put “powerful people” above the law.

She was referring to Zuma’s previous legal battle against corruption allegations, resulting from the fraud conviction of his former financial advisor Schabir Shaik.

In April 2009, the National Prosecuting Authority dropped the charges against Zuma, just months before he was elected into the country’s top post.

Zille said Zuma’s re-election also sent a message that “it is acceptable to use positions in government for personal enrichment, and not for public service”.

She was referring to a multi-million rand upgrade at Zuma’s Nkandla home.

The Western Cape premier stressed that Zuma’s lack of leadership on major policy questions would continue “as will the corruption and abuse of public resources that has so far characterised his time in office”.

Mthembu hit back, saying citizens should regard her remarks as acts of political despondency “with no political content.”

“Sadly, her statement is anchored on abundant false and wrong allegations against the president, the ANC and government,” he said.

“From the conference, the ANC will implement resolutions to help us attend to the all the challenges faced by the organisation and the country.”

Jackson said the depth of engagement in the party’s commissions would produce political thinking that would “pace and shape” the country.

“We don’t worry ourselves with whatever the DA and Helen say – we are more concerned about improving our performance, attending to challenges contesting our ability to deliver and lead society.

“While she takes a political tarry of jealous proportions, the ANC continues with the business of (the) conference, as matters being discussed are central in building better communities.” – Sapah

By Obakeng Maje

The Malawi National Team has arrived in Durban in preparation for the international friendly match against South Africa on Saturday, 22 December 2012 at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

The match is scheduled to kick-off at 17h00.

Bafana Bafana are scheduled to land in Durban on Thursday morning.

The Malawians arrived with a 20-man squad, which boasts players like Robert Ng’ambi, Josephy Kamwendo, Atusaye Nyondo and Chiukepo Msowoya who are household names in South African soccer.

They held their first training session at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont and will have more training sessions throughout the week.

Malawi are ranked 101 in the FIFA rankings and 84 by CAF and are coached by Kinnah Phiri and assisted by Young Chimodzi.

Meanwhile tickets for this international friendly are selling at Computicket, Shoprite and Shoprite Checkers countrywide and fans are advised to purchase their tickets urgently.

They cost R100 for the West and East lower stands, while the North and South upper and lower stands are available at R50 each.

Malawi squad to face Bafana Bafana:

1. Simplex Nthala

2. Charles Swini

3. Limbikani Mzava

4. Moses Chavula

5. Harry Nyirenda

6. Foster Namwera

7. James Sangala

8. Steve Chagoma

9. Josephy Kamwendo

10. Chimango Kayira

11. Robert Ng’ambi

12. Dave Banda

13. Frank Banda

14. Micium Mhone

15. Atusaye Nyondo

16. Gabadinho Mhango

17. Zico Mkanda

18. Chiukepo Msowoya

19. Phillip Masiye

20. John Lanjesi

Technical Team1. Kinnah Phiri                         – Head Coach

2. Young Chimodzi                  – Assistant Coach

By Obakeng Maje

Taung-One of the “biggest bang” festivals in the country will be hosted in Taung on the 28 December at Taung Sports-ground.

Dj Nation Annual Bash has been growing in bounds and leaps over the years.

The event is famous for attracting huge crowds.

We have seen world’s top Djs gracing the event and helped transform the event into the biggest party Taung have ever seen.

“28 December have made for a pretty amazing atmosphere and a night the gig-goers will never forget” Nation Dj said.

“The event has more than five years in existence and we bring lots and lots of stars in entertainment industry” Nation said.

Taung village is one of remoted areas in the North West province and falls under Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District.

The Dj Nation Annual Bash is the only main event that keeps party-goers on their toes in the area during festive season.

Born and bred in Nhole village,Taung Blondie “Dj Nation” Mokgwabone was inspired by some of the best Djs in the world.

“I was inspired by some of the best Djs on different radio stations. I saw it fit to embark on this career” He smiles.

“I would like to applaud Taung residents and those who come so far to show their support” Nation said.

Dj Nation…as Mokgwabone is affectionately known to his masses grew up in the area and knows exactly how it feels to thrive for success despite some challenges.

“I came across trials and tribulations of life and I never burged” he adds.

“It is not that easy in the entertainment industry as there are some challenges,but if you bélieve in something and with dedication,discipline and determination saw me through” he outlines.

Nation said by bringing powerhouses Djs and musicians alike believes that will inspire the youths of Taung.

He also put some raw talents in the line-ups.

The likes of Monique Binghams,Ralf Gum,Dj christos,Black Coffe,Glen Lewis,Big Nuz,HHP,Vini Da Vinci and the list is endless will come to the fore.

The tickets are now available at Computicket or at any Shoprites for R120 and R140 at the gate.

History

Taung “The Place of the Lion” named after Tau, chief of the Bataung people, who made his headquarters here during the 18th century

Taung – the “place of the lion” made world headlines when Australian anthropologist Professor Raymond Dart made a startling find here in 1924. The little Taung skull, which he classified as Australopithecus africanus, belongs to one of the earliest hominids that lived in southern Africa some 2.5 million years ago.

Attractions

Taung Skull Heritage Site

A monument to the discovery of the Taung skull has been erected at this historic site.

Blue Pools

A popular picnic site at the Buxton quarry at the Taung Heritage Site. In a picturesque valley with caves, streams and rock pools which lies close to the site where the skull was discovered. Barbecue facilities, set alongside a pristine spring winding through an ancient limestone valley.

Boipelo Game Reserve

Boipelo is a small reserve forming part of the Tusk Hotel complex, consisting of 150 hectare of bushveld. This bushveld reserve supports seven different species of wildlife and more than 100 bird species. Visitors may enjoy game viewing either on mountain bikes (provided by the hotel), or along hiking trails of varying length.

Dinkwaneng

Some excellent examples of San Bushman engravings can be viewed at the Dinkwaneng site situated approximately 20km from the centre of Taung, near the Manthe village.

Taung Dam

A perfect picnic spot, 17km out of town on the Kolong River.

Mmabana Cultural Centre

A modern social and educational centre offering locally produced arts and crafts. A short distance east of the village.

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews

result: Chiefs 2-0 AmaZulu

Date: 18 December 2012

Venue: FNB Stadium

Kaizer Chiefs confirmed their place at the top of the league table until the season gets back underway next year, after they beat AmaZulu 2-0 at the FNB Stadium on Tuesday night.

The game got off to a slow start with the ball bogged down in midfield as both sides struggled to hold onto possession for long periods.

Chiefs started to gain some measure of control but clear-cut chances were hard to come by. Reneilwe Letsholonyane saw a powerful drive following a corner deflected off target.

A controversial moment then arrived in the 27th minute when Matthew Rusike seemed to have been clipped in the area. The referee initially looked to have pointed to the spot, in what would have been the correct decision judging by replays, but it was overturned.

Usuthu could have rubbed salt in the wounds moments later when they won a free-kick at the edge of the area and only an incredible save from Itumeleng Khune denied Marc van Heerden from finding the top corner with his free-kick.

That was about the only real chance from the coastal side in the first period, and Chiefs would eventually take the lead in the 36th minute.

The visitors were unable to get the ball away from their area and it eventually fell to Rusike at the edge of the area where he lashed a swerving strike into the bottom corner.

George Lebese fired just wide soon after and although the hosts couldn’t find a second goal, it all seemed fairly simple against a dormant Usuthu side.

The game went into a slump again after the break but AmaZulu looked slightly more adventurous.

Andile Khumalo almost created a great chance in the 53rd minute when he turned brilliantly but his cross to the far post was blocked.

Khumalo was again prevented from getting a shot away 12 minutes later when Tefu Mashamaite put in a last ditch challenge to block the shot.

Lehlohonolo Majoro should have put the game to bed moments later when he was found unmarked in the area but he guided his header against the outside of the post.

AmaZulu responded through Van Heerden who lashed a low shot across Khune but the Chiefs stopper got down sharply to push the shot away.

Bernard Parker, who suffered an injury in their last outing, came on from the bench and would make the desired impact when he looped an excellent shot over the goalkeeper with eight minutes to go.

Lebese had a late chance to make it 3-0, but he was unable to get his shot past the goalkeeper. The hosts had done enough though and ensured that they would finish the year at the top of the league table.

Chiefs: Itumeleng Khune, Siboniso Gaxa, Eric Mathoho, Tefu Mashamaite, Tsepo Masilela, George Lebese, Willard Katsande, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Lehlohonolo Majoro, Matthew Rusike.

AmaZulu: Tapuwa Kapini, Thamsanqa Teyise, Marc van Heerden, Carlington Nyadombo, Philani Cele, Bongani Mbhele, Tsweu Mokoro, Kulegani Modondo, Andile Khumalo, Goodman Dlamini, Ayanda Dlamini.h