Remembering the iconic late Mafoko
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Sunday March 6, 2022 06:00
Mafoko, a reputable drummer and keyboardist died last Friday after a short illness. His passing on comes just less than a month after the death of yet another colleague and drummer, Polino Baleja.
The Ratholo born Mafoko was among the most popular instrumentalists during an era when Kwasa Kwasa dominated the local showbiz scene. For many people even those who were not fans of Kwasa Kwasa, the name Skonkovia would ring a bell as it was always mentioned by the likes of Biza Mupulu and when they provided the gimmicks during the dominant era of Alfredo Mos & Les Africa Sounds.
As the nation is still reeling from the news of Mafoko’s death, some of his close colleagues have shared their memorable stories with Arts & Culture of their time together. Mafoko has been described as a humble, knowledgeable and one of rare group musicians the country has ever produced.
Legendary Kwasa kwasa star Alfred Mosimanegape of Alfredo Mos & Les Africa Sounds told Arts & Culture that he met Mafoko in 1998 as a newbie in the music industry while the former was working on his second album, and they immediately established a strong bond.
“I released my first album in 1997, but I met Tumelo in 1998 when I was working on my second album called Motho/Person. By then he was a drummer before he became this renowned keyboardist. I introduced him to my first album and I realised that he was a quick learner. He could immediately play a tune effortlessly when given a melody.
He continued: “He was a very cheerful and funny person who liked to crack jokes. They would joke around with Franco and called each other all sorts of names. He grew in the industry.”
Alfredo, as Mosimanegape is popularly known said he worked with Mafoko until 2001 when he left with six others to form a band called Extra Melody.
Mosimanegape also said although Mafoko had left Alfredo & Les Africa Sounds band, their bond had remained stronger compared to the others whom Mafoko had left with.
“He has always been very close to me even after he quit my band. He would often visit and work on some of my albums even though he was not part of the band until he re-joined a few years later,” He added.
Mosimanegape said Mafoko’s passing touched him and left a sharp pain in his heart. He explained that he after learning that Mafoko was unwell; it was just at the time when Mafoko had just been discharged from the hospital.
“When I went to check up on him, we discussed the possibility of recording my album with his band. Before his passing, I had approached his family about the possibility of talking to government to transfer Mafoko to a South African medical facility. However, it’s unfortunate that just a day after talking to his other sibling, I received the news of his passing”. Legendary Congolese guitarist, Kapenda Katuta who also worked with Mafoko said they met in 2002 at a gig in Mochudi. “He came with a Disco band. It was almost my first time to come to contact with a band like that where everything is done with a keyboard, a Splash kind of band. I was really impressed because the guy played three keyboards at a time and they performed very well. I later on got to interact with him at some joint when he was with Extra Melody band, the get away band from Alfredo Mos. He was with Biza Mupulu, Willie Molewa, Yumbe, Samurai, Yayah and Keneilwe the dancer until they changed to form Stream Jazz. We met regularly thereafter at some Jazz joints where we could jam something,” said Katuta.
Katuta said from there, they would go on to work together during rehearsals for the late Soares Katumbela’s trip abroad. Katuta said Mafoko was very talented as he could play whatever he was asked to play without any hustle. “We spent a lot of time last year when I was music director for BOMU awards band. That’s when I got to appreciate the commitment and professionalism because that’s what I demanded of everyone I had selected to be part of that team to do the BOMU awards. He was humble and so eager to learn despite his wealth of knowledge,” he added.
Katuta stated that the industry has lost a rare gem, one of those that are very good at what they do. He said the industry had looked up to Mafoko as one of the few instrumentalists after the death of Lekofi but the industry could find itself wandering yet again after Mafoko’s death.
“It will take a bit of time to find someone like him because being a professional musician is a life, it’s a journey. There are those who can play here and there but that spirit of being on the stage and recognising the setup is not easy to get. It’s like a library that has been burned down. There is nothing more we can get of him and his knowledge”.
Botswana Musicians Union (BOMU) president Phemelo Lesokwane said Mafoko’s death affected him badly. He said Mafoko, who was more like a brother to him, produced his first jazz album. Lesokwane said at the time of his passing, Mafoko was a BOMU member. After producing four albums with Alfredo Mos & Les Africa Sounds, Mafoko played for several local groups and artists such as Franco, Lonaka Band, Vee Mampeezy, Matsieng, Ditiro Leero, Charma Gal, and Botswana Music ensemble. At the time of his death, Mafoko was a member of Stream Jazz band. he was born in January 11, 1978.
At the time of writing this article, a memorial service was to be held in his honour at BotswanaCraft while a tribute festival will be held today evening at Millenium Jazz Restaurant.