A number of schools choirs were led by young and skilled teachers most of who were taking the helm for the first time. Most old timers were gracefully retired and the new music guard took over the responsibility to conduct.
One of these newcomers into the scene was Gape Motswaledi. He was born to a musical family who shaped his destiny and started him on what he has termed an “inescapable course.”
Initially, he had taken up karate since he had felt that music did not offer much of a challenge. He was to discover, however, that music flowed in his veins and when the time came he accessed at the blink of an eye.
Watching him in action at the BTU competitions where he conducted the BTU choristers, one could be reminded of the musical greats, the Pierre Monteuxs, the Dmitri Mitropoulos, the Otto Klemperers and Pablo Casals of this world.
With a silent one and a two, his hands turn into a flurry of activity poking the air and swiping himself into a frenzy to the sweet sounds of the music.
The choir seemed to respond to each and every one of his moves. Together they were one. The end came much sooner than the crowd’s satisfaction and he theatrically bowed to a standing ovation.
Gape had his first conducting stint in 1993 while serving his Tirelo Sechaba; this was his first taste of success and the beginning of his love affair with conducting.
In 1995 while doing his first year at the University of Botswana he helped Metsimasweu School Choir.
In 1996 he did his teaching practice at Swaneng Hill School in Serowe and there, he also took up the baton.
The rest of the years, 1997 to this year he has conducted a number of choirs including the well-known Kgalemang Tumediso Motsete Choir (KTM).
He was offered the KTM baton in 2001 after his elder brother Gomolemo Motswaledi left the choir, and according to him, it was not easy.
The younger Motswaledi sings nothing but praises for his elder brother Gomolemo. He credits him with introducing a more African style of singing with songs like Kgomo ke tsele and Lerotse.
He says that having a famous brother has not put undue pressure on him as much as he himself has pressurised himself.
Motswaledi has always felt that his achievements are not much, despite the number of pats on the back he has received from well-wishers.
According to him, arts in Botswana don’t offer much of a future, and though he wishes to explore more of the world, he however will remain in his current position as a Science teacher at Lotsane.
He feels that the level of music in Botswana could be higher, if it was treated as a job rather than a past time.
“Music is my wife and my child,” says the eligible bachelor who has given himself to the demands and challenges of music.
