“The Menate Yotlhe Tour” is the most demanding show yet for Tebatso Hule, popularly known as T-joint. This is the first Christmas season that he has been on tour as a solo artist. It provides an opportunity for him to promote his album, Katlholo.
“This is a festive season and it is very slow for most people because they get to relax. A lot of people who may prefer to stay in the city tend to get bored because most entertainment spots are closed. That is where we come in,” he says.
With “The Menate Yotlhe Tour”, Hule has engaged other artists such as Wizards, Kwaito Weapons, Jeff Matheatau, Tu-Unik, Cisco B and a newcomer to the music scene, Spokes. He is also promoting the artists in the tour. They performed in Francistown Stadium on Christmas Day. “We are aware that we do miss out on family time, but this is an opportunity for us to promote our product. People from the city do come out to the villages to see these performances. Village folks get to see us on their turf if they were not able to see us anywhere else,” Hule says. The artists mind about missing Christmas goodies at home, but it is a price they are willing to pay.
“We get to promote our album and see the people enjoy our performances. That is our Christmas,” says Hule.
Olebile “Maxy” Sedumedi on the other hand says that she tries to juggle her performance dates with her family time. “It is fortunate that I get to perform in areas close to my home village. During the day, I get to spend time with my family and at night, my attention is focused on my fans. I entertain them. This is what I do,” she says. On Christmas Day, Maxy, Vomit and Miso “Mega V” Mmereki performed in Kopong.
“Performing has its perks because when you get to see people enjoy the entertainment you provide, then you know that you have made someone’s Christmas worthwhile. The crowd in Kopong unfortunately got rowdy when they started throwing stones at us. But that is just one occupational hazard that as an artist you have to live with. At the end of the day, the money makes it even more worthwhile,” she says.
