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Trending in Kupido’s World
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20 Goue Treffers
Released Apr 15, 2016
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Quick Facts
Born
1953
1953
From
South Africa
South Africa
Journey
Johannes Matheus Wessels, famously known as Kupido, was born on 28 October 1953 in Lusaka, then part of Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), into a large English-speaking family. He was the eldest of twelve siblings, and music flowed naturally through their household. From a young age, Johannes led family sing-alongs and began composing songs on the guitar, laying the foundation for a lifelong passion that would shape his career.
As a teenager, he joined a local band called Big Gold Six, performing publicly and honing his musical talents. In 1979, the Wessels family relocated to South Africa, settling on a smallholding near Ogies in Mpumalanga. There, Johannes balanced a variety of jobs, including farming, truck driving, hairdressing, and cooking, while continuing to pursue music with determination.
His stage name, Kupido, reflected his love for songs about romance and emotion. He first gained professional attention after sending a demo cassette to well-known singer Cora Marie and her husband Corrie Myburgh. Impressed by his talent, they offered him a recording contract, and by 1981, he was performing regularly alongside Cora Marie.
Kupido’s breakthrough came with the heartfelt ballad “Was Ek Maar ’n Digter” (“If Only I Were a Poet”), a song that became a hit even before its official release, earning gold status on pre-orders alone. In 1982, it became the only Afrikaans song on Springbok Radio’s top-20 chart for that week. He continued collaborating with Cora Marie, releasing the duet album Country in Harmonie and contributing most of the songwriting.
Beyond performing, Kupido was a prolific songwriter for other artists, including Johan Stemmet and Laurika Rauch. In 1997, he formed a family group called Quattro, featuring his siblings Alan Ladd, Cleo, and Angela. Later in his career, he also explored gospel music, releasing the album U Regte Weë in 2009, showcasing his versatility and spiritual depth.
Tragically, Johannes “Kupido” Wessels passed away on 22 February 2016 in Middelburg, South Africa, from heart failure while visiting his sister. He was 62 years old. His funeral was held a few days later at his family farm, a testament to the deep connections he maintained with his loved ones throughout his life.
Kupido’s legacy lives on through his music, a blend of heartfelt storytelling, family collaboration, and devotion to his craft. Beyond the stage, he was a committed family man, a mentor to fellow artists, and a believer in balancing artistry with everyday life, leaving a lasting imprint on South African music culture.