Gomolemo Motswaledi: A music giant honoured through song
Mpho Tlale | Friday August 8, 2014 11:00
“Gomolemo Sir G, o re godisitse. Re go amule robala…A re mo gopoleng tsala ya rona. Mo go wena re ithutile..”. These are some of the lyrics by Kgalemang Tumediso Motsete (KTM) choir honouring, Gomolemo Thatayaone Motswaledi. KTM was performing at a memorial service, held in remembrance of the departed KTM founder. Music was given the prominence it deserved. Several musical pieces from various choirs were slotted in between speeches to sooth the souls of individuals who filled up the stadium to mourn and celebrate Motswaledi’s life.
Remembering his deceased comrade, the president of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), Duma Boko, broke the ice with a song as he took to the podium to deliver his speech. Boko sang the chorus of the song Morena O Ba Etelele Pele, which is a popular song in political circles. Boko stated that the song was a tribute to Motswaledi who loved the song and sang it at every opportunity he got.
“What a man. What a man... What a mighty good man. Always a person to sing, I imagine that in his last moments before he passed away, my friend and comrade must have sung his signature song,” Boko said as he stressed his point on Motswaledi’s love for music. He added that Motswaledi touched many lives and was able to communicate and spread messages through his music.
In continuing with his remembrance for his friend, Boko said that Motswaledi does not need a eulogy from him or anyone else because he did that for himself through his work, which speaks for itself. He added that during his lifetime Motswaledi triumphed over challenges and remained modest in victory.
“He was a great friend. A comrade who has carved a statue in the hearts of his people through his work and personality,” Boko said.
For his part, Modisa Motswaledi who was speaking on behalf of the family did not fall short of words describing his deceased nephew.
He pointed out that before anything else, Motswaledi had a deep-rooted love for music that ran deep into his being. He said that from a young age Motswaledi was blessed with a voice that he never shied away from using.
“He was blessed with a voice and had an extra special talent to listen to detail within a song and correct them where he saw necessary. Both his parents were musically gifted people as well and they helped nurture his talent and what it stood for,” Modisa said as he painted a colourful picture of his nephew’s musical.
He said that the late Motswaledi was not only gifted with singing, but could compose as well as revive songs, giving them a new twist and life. He gave an example of songs like Lerotse Le Bodile and Tsibi Robi, which he said Motswaledi revamped and upgraded to make them what they are now.
Praises for Motswaledi’s love for music extended from one speaker to the next. Speaking on behalf of KTM choir, Abel Bogatsu also said Motswaledi’s love for music went hand in hand with his love for Setswana. He recalled that throughout his life the late singer was eloquent in the Setswana language as much as he was in English.
“He was a man of speech and never one to shy away from using Setswana. He spoke in Setswana at every opportunity he got as he was fond of the language,“ Bogatsu explained with fondness in his voice. He explained that Motswaledi’s favourite Setswana quote was “Ha re sa direle lehatshe la rona, ke mang o ta le direlang? Ha re sa ipelahatse ka lehatshe la rona ke mang o ta ipelahatsang?”