Machesa close-knit as ever

Chippa Legodimo | Thursday March 6, 2014 16:59

 

That a cultural music group won such a prestigious award was the cherry on top for culture enthusiasts.  It indicated pride in culture and could be much rewarding.

Although the band had already established itself as a force to reckon with at home, scooping a Kora ahead of many African giants simply turned them into a continental force. The hit song Sango made big strides and the Kora success was followed by various high profile engagements both here and abroad.

Rumours came thick and fast that the group was destined to split following their big win. However, under Eric Ramco they managed to stay together.

The three cousins, Dimane Lesetedi, Max ‘Manyoloi’ Lesetedi Keduetse ‘Shoes’ Lesetedi have gone through many trials and tribulations but still remain strong.

With the advent of other talented groups such as Matsieng, this seemed to spell doom for Machesa. Their fortunes took a slump and they have been struggling to keep afloat, Dimane admitted.

“But that has happened with many other artists.  Some have even disbanded while we still remain, things have changed a lot since those years, even hit songs do not sell,” he said. The talented trio attempted a comeback album in 2011 called Chalobeke.  Buoyed by the controversial track Sixteen Percent, the album seemed promising but failed to meet expectations.

Sixteen Percent was a song composed in support of civil servants who went on strike demanding the salary increase.

Dimane’s reasoning for their album’s lukewarm reception is poor marketing.

“We seemed to relax believing that since it had good songs the album would just sell itself.  It has made us wake up and understand fully why Eric (Ramogojwa) was so aggressive in marketing,” Dimane said.

While they seem to have taken a back seat the award-winning group continues to grab attention from abroad.

Twice last year they toured Lesotho where according to Dimane, they impressed.

“In fact we had gone there for only one show but the department of culture there approached us and booked us for a second show.  We still receive invitations from abroad,” he said.

During their hey days Machesa would travel the Southern African region to share the stage with some of the best musicians Africa has to offer.

“We have a rich history, the only group from this country to ever win a Kora.  We have shared the stage with greats such as reggae legend Lucky Dube, Selaelo Selota, Hugh Masekela and Kofi Olomide outside our borders.  I can assure the fans we still have what it takes,” he said. The group is currently working on Chalobeke DVD, which they hope would boost the sales of the album.

Fourteen years after the formation of the band, Machesa still remains a close-knit unit.  The group dreams of recapturing some of that old magic that made them a favorite band in the early 2000s.

“Good things are coming for our fans. As a band we understand that we need each other and the fans need us. Like any other group we would have our differences but sit down and talk things through without any arrogance.  It helps we are also not greedy people,” Dimane said.