Little Sister

Little Sister was a South African sister duo formed by Debbi and Jenni Lonmon, who became prominent on the country's pop and rock scene during the late 1980s and 1990s. Based in Pretoria, the sisters developed a distinctive sound that drew on acoustic folk, blues, pop and hard-edged rock, with both women contributing vocals and guitar.

Debbi had already gained experience as a musician before Little Sister was formed. In 1980 she played lead guitar in the all-female Durban rock group Pantha, alongside Penelope Jane Dunlop, who would later become known as PJ Powers of Hotline. Debbi and Jenni subsequently formed Little Sister in 1989, building a polished live act around their vocal harmonies, acoustic guitars and original songs.

Their debut album, Ready and Willing, was released in 1990 and included their best-known song, Dear Abbie. Other notable recordings included No Man Shall Fall and Young Hearts. The sisters went on to release five albums during their career, including Along the Way and While No One Was Looking. Along the Way was produced by Canadian producer Michael Flicker, whose previous work included collaborations with the American rock group Heart, an influence that can also be heard in Little Sister's powerful vocal and guitar-led approach.

The duo became a successful live attraction, touring extensively throughout Southern Africa and appearing on television programmes alongside some of the biggest international acts visiting the country. Their performances included support slots for Bryan Adams, UB40 and Indecent Obsession, while in 1993 they toured the Far East. They also performed at Nelson Mandela's inauguration celebrations in 1994, placing them within one of the defining cultural moments of South Africa's transition to democracy.

Little Sister received several awards during their career, including recognition as Best New Artists and Best Rock Artists. Their recordings remain part of the Gallo catalogue and have been preserved through later compilations and digital releases. Today, Debbi and Jenni Lonmon are remembered as one of South Africa's notable female musical duos, combining sisterly harmony with the energy of rock and the intimacy of acoustic songwriting.