Motlhaolosa reveals Keipidile house plans
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Friday February 23, 2024 10:41
The event will take place on February 24, 2024 at Goo Tshosa ward in Serowe. The artists, who will be partaking in the event include Kaone Mahuma, Moreri, Kesegofetse Kalayamore, Lister Boleseng and the man of the event, Keipidile, himself. In an interview with Moreri, he said the project had not started yet.
He added that after last year’s fundraising concert, they remained with P20,000 for the project. He added that they were soliciting funds for the house saying they were looking for sponsors. “We intend to host shows to raise funds for the project; no dates yet but we are thinking of hosting them in Serowe and Francistown. Our guest speaker includes Koolatotse Koolatotse who also hails from Goo Tshosa ward. The event will host the village leadership including Kgosi Serogola Seretse. Keipidile is a great music icon born in 1954 at Goo Tshosa ward in Serowe.
He is one of the first Batswana musicians who play the lead guitar, lead singer in a band and song writer,” he said. Moreri also pointed out that he has taught a lot of musicians such as Ditiro Dijeng, Scobirol Lekhutile and Koolopile among others. He explained that Bonjo started his music in Serowe around the 70s with John Ratshosa who had musical instruments. He said Bonjo played with Ratshosa and the late Thami Gala who happens to be his mentor. Keipidile is said to have played at Francistown with Clement Jackson, the late Ricky Molefe and Louis Mhlanga.
From Francistown, Keipidile is said to have come to Gaborone and formed Every Mothers Son Band, which is a four-piece band composed of Keipedile, Moss Ramatu commonly known as DJ Moss, Mike Kate from Ramotswa and Ricky Molefe. While in Gaborone, he is said to have become part of the Medu Art Ensemble project, where they did music and poetry under Dashiki. “In Dashiki he worked with the likes of Jonas Gwangwa, Lefifi Tladi and Oupa Rantshebele. Bonjo explains that during the Dashiki times, they used to feature Rampholo Molefe and Sonti Ndebele amongst others.
Keipidile remains an integral part of the music history of Botswana and the general success story of Botswana. 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,” Moroka pointed out. He further pointed out that Keipidile deserved documentaries, placements in the Hall of Fame, Naledi Ya Botswana awards and above all recognition by all Batswana. He added that Keipile remained a critical figure as a peacemaker, who jelled with the then-exiles and made international diplomacy through music.
He also said this jazz legend needs to be celebrated amongst other “cultural workers” in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini and Zimbabwe as the “conscription train of Hugh Masakela,” and the Medu Arts Ensemble motto, “The people shall defeat aggression and destabilisation.”