Keipidile to get decent house from local poets

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Sunday June 25, 2023 06:00

They will also help him record his songs. Moreri said he has in the past worked at Ntlo ya Dikgosi, where he saw Marara (chiefs) building a house for the needy in Manyana. He also headed a Social Community club which made several donations. "I am also a Christian who believes in the ideals of giving. I am also a cultural activist who believes in the concept of Botho, in which we are “our brothers' keepers. We met Keipidile when we did a commemoration for Jonas Gwangwa at Cresta Hotels. We got the history of Bonjo that he was one of the band members who played and contributed some songs to the great Jonas Gwangwa,” he said.

Moreri said Gwangwa went on to win the precious Grammy Award, which was a great achievement in the music world internationally. He said Botswana deserves to be proud of its won musician, Keipidile, who had a footprint in this project. However, he said it was sad that his life does not commensurate with his immense talents, therefore prompted local poets to uplift him by assisting him build a decent house and record his album. Moreri, famed for his poem Nkokowe, said he believed that together with other like-minded people, they could do something that could have a ripple effect and ultimately make the nation rise to attend to the general welfare of artists. He added that Motlhaolosa Poetry ensemble promotes culture and believes in helping others. “We are still at the planning stage. I am happy to say that we used the Maitisong event to sensitise the public about the intended project. We consulted with Keipidile’s family and met with Kgosi Motlamedi Tshosa at Goora-Tshosa ward in Serowe. We also informed potential partners such as Minister Kagiso Mmusi and other stakeholders. Generally people in Botswana are very kind and helpful. We are going to share a lot of details on our Motlhaolosa Facebook page pertaining to the project after thorough consultations with all stakeholders,” he said. Furthermore, he said they would share information on the plan for the intended building together with the bills of quantities. They will also share banking details where people could deposit money for the project. He also said people were free to assist with their skills, competencies, resources, labour and anything.

Moreover, Moreri added that they need to make extensive consultations more with Keipidile’s family, boo-Tshosa in Serowe, the Serowe leadership and elders as well as willing people around Serowe. “This project requires using a lot of resources. We need to engage the willing business community, media houses and all. After all these, we will make a Gantt Chart outlining timelines. Motlhaolosa will ultimately share all the necessary project details with the public and stakeholders. Moreover, our challenges in achieving this include inadequate funds. People volunteer, especially in the band and planning committee, but they end up not turning up because of transport challenges to and from meetings,” he emphasised. In fundraising, Moreri explained that one needs to hire rehearsal space, transport and feed musicians. He said using expensive music equipment, feeding the volunteers, doing posters from one’s pocket and book accommodation was a very taxing exercise. He added that at times one assembles a team that may not have adequate skills and experiences to run the whole project. He also said their biggest challenge was on marketing and selling tickets. He said even if people volunteered their time and resources, there will be those who will sincerely need a token of appreciation which was a challenge if they do not have enough resources for such. He said after the Maitisong show, their team met to discuss their strengths and weaknesses. He added that they were yet to work on a robust strategy that could rope in the much needed business community and stakeholders to ensure that this project is well executed.

He also sent their Save Our Soul (SOS) message to all readers to come to the party and assist in fulfilling the project. “I am appealing to Batswana to rally behind this project to ensure that our legend has decent accommodation which would in the future be a monument, a place of reference to upcoming artists that our own artists who contributed towards a Grammy Award stayed here. Keipidile remains an integral part of Botswana's music history and the general success story of the country. The President of Botswana gave a touching message during the launch of Botswana Arts Council. His eloquent speech is so much a definition of Keipedile. This is the man who deserves documentaries, placements in Halls of fame, Naledi Ya Botswana awards and above all recognition by all Batswana,” he added. Keipidile is one of the first Batswana musicians who play the lead guitar, lead singer in the band and songwriter. According to Moreri, the legendary artist taught a lot of musicians such as Ditiro Dijeng, Scobirol Lekhutile and Koolopile among others. He said Keipidile started his music in Serowe around the 70s with John Ratshosa who had musical instruments.

Bonjo played with Ratshosa and the late Thami Gala who happens to be his mentor. Moreri also explained that Keipidile went on to play in Francistown with Clement Jackson, the late Ricky Molefe and Louis Mhlanga. He said from Francistown, Keipidile came to Gaborone and formed Every Mothers Son Band, a four-piece band composed of him, Moss Ramatu commonly known as DJ Moss, Mike Kate from Ramotswa and Ricky Molefe. While in Gaborone, Keipidile became part of the Medu Art Ensemble project where they did music and poetry under Dashiki. Moreri also said at Dashiki the artist worked with the likes of Jonas Gwangwa, Lefifi Tladi and Oupa Rantshebele. Keipidile explains that during the Dashiki times, they used to feature Rampholo Molefe and Sonti Ndebele amongst others.