Remembering Lekhete Lele Tona (ATI)
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane - Itumeleng Suping | Friday September 5, 2025 12:10
The memorial service was a massive celebration of a life marked by resilience, kindness, and unwavering love. The attendees made sure they bid him farewell in the ATI way (energetic and bubbly). Through heartfelt tributes, several speakers shared memories while his music echoed in the background. Those in attendance reflected on the legacy left behind by the star, a legacy not measured in years alone, but rather in the lives touched and the love shared through his music. As stories unfolded, it became clear that ATI, also known as Lekhete Lele Tonatona, may be gone, but his spirit shall live in every heart he touched through his music.
As the service continued, the atmosphere transformed from somber reflection to a heartfelt celebration of ATI’s musical legacy. Famed for his phrase, ‘it's not about me, it's not about you, it's all about the people,’ ATI’s friends, fellow musicians, and fans paid a glowing tribute through emotional performances of the star’s most iconic songs like khiring khiring khorong and ke lekhete, each portraying the impact his songs had on almost every listener worldwide. In his honour, different artists painted portraits of ATI, who not only shaped the music industry but also touched the lives of many. Almost all the speakers described him as a spiritually gifted artist who was always misunderstood.
Even though ATI may be eternally silent, his music, impact, and the legacy he left behind shall echo among generations to come. During the service, speeches from close friends, his colleagues in the creative industry offered a glimpse into the artist’s life at large. Many remembered him not only with his powerful and spiritual songs but also with his mesmerizing and captivating stage presence. However, others said that despite being respectful and loving, the young man had his weakness, drug abuse.
An emotional moment came from his father, William Molemogi, who described his son as a very creative and spiritually gifted person. He added that ATI was a fashionista who would redesign his outfits into something fancy, so one would think he bought them from the expensive labels. He added that the deceased did not like wasting money on expensive labels and would find simple clothes that would suit him from Chinese shops and redesign them. Furthermore, he touched on his son’s drug problem.
”We took him to rehab about five times, and every time we thought he was getting better, when we were happy that he came back looking handsome, his friends would call him and bring him packaged drugs. Despite ATI’s attempts to fight his drug problem, he would always see himself relapsing. If it were up to me, I would build a rehabilitation centre and name it after my son. I would call it the ATI Rehabilitation Center. I call on the Botswana government to build rehabilitation centers in Botswana. Why should we rely on expertise from outside our country?” William said.
ATI was family to me. His mother was family by blood. ATI was family by blood. His father calls me swaar. One fateful night, his mother called me crying, telling me that ATI was arrested. I told him not to worry. Came to what almost seems like a riot. Pleaded with the station commander to take him to court, where he was found not guilty. He was a poet and a true artist. A true artist is genuine. A true artist speaks from the heart. We come here to celebrate this genius, this poetic wizard. I went to Lesotho, and they brought a young kid, a good poet, Sannere. When I saw Sannere, I asked myself from my country who I would bring but I thought I would bring ATI. ATI flew, and he soared. He loved this country. Words falter and fade, you lived in us, you spoke in all of us,' President Advocate Duma Boko.
Newly elected BEPA president, Goaba Mojakgomo was also amongst the speakers who shared their moments with the icon. He described the late superstar as a force to be reckoned with. He said ATI gave the truth, emotions, transcended on stage, told his stories through his creative work, and therefore redefined what it meant to be an artist in Botswana. Mojakgomo also mentioned that the late icon was a pillar house at BEPA and Born & Raised (BnR).
’’ATI has always been a backbone of BnR since 2016 and would forever be a symbol of resilience and therefore, BnR commits an engraved tombstone for ATI in recognition of his commitment to the event. This tombstone will be a constant reminder that greatness walks amongst us,’’ he said.
For his part, BOMU acting president, Papie Rakhudu called on artists to stop complaining about not being given airplay, saying that before complaining, they should take care of themselves. He urged them to stop taking drugs. He added that socialites such as ATI, Motswafere and others inspired their children. He said no one would help them if they did not take care of themselves. His advice to parents whose children choose to venture into creative arts is to support and take care of their children. He said artists go through a lot and could do it on their own.
Meanwhile, the deceased’s former security personnel, Alphius Kagiso, said he met ATI in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic at the gym. Kagiso said he told him he needed security personnel and promoted him to be his bodyguard. Even though they worked well together, he explained that working for ATI was not always smooth sailing, as he sometimes had to fight for the artist to show up at the events. He said ATI would give excuses for why he did not want to perform at some events. Despite all of that, ATI is said to have been protective of his team and fed them well. Kagiso also described the late star as a very spiritual person.
'To our mother, I want to thank you for giving us a legend. To our Minister, we are an industry closer to God. We lost three artists. To those men and women in the parliament, we need help. I want to remind you to be kind to ATI. Atasaone ngwanaka robala boroko (sleep well). Ya gago tiro oe dirile (you have done your part). The time has arrived to have Sassa Klass Street, Jeff Matheatau Street and ATI Street. Not long ago, we were laughing at one of our children breaking down on social media. Let us introspect ourselves and be kind to one another,' Zenzel Hirschfeld.