Tshepo Tshola hails Botswana talent
Spira Tlhankane | Wednesday November 4, 2015 18:00
Briefing the media ahead of the Friday show, Tshola said he started to realise his potential in Botswana around the early 1970s.
“Botswana has grown and it is now a spearhead of artistic excellence,” he said. Tshola further hailed Botswana music as the miracle the world had been waiting for.
He highlighted that Botswana artists have to be proud of their music. Having spent various decades in the entertainment industry, Tshola was also quick to warn local musicians about people who manipulate artistic talent.
He said local artists should come up with unions that can better represent artists. “We can handle the excellence of our talent ourselves,” he said. Tshola defined his association with Botswana as a timeless friendship.
Tshola said Botswana artists should also do concerts in Lesotho to build a spirit of friendship. Pertaining to his Friday show, Tshola said people should expect the best of him.
He said he would refine his old songs to suit what people like. “I never leave a stage without performing one of my old songs. People want to hear what they have heard in the past,” he said. Also speaking during the press brief was Botswana’s folklore legend Ndingo Johwa who added that Botswana artists have evolved over the years.
“We used to listen to the artists in southern Africa and we never thought we would one day reach their level,” he said. Johwa thanked BOPEU for organising the show to facilitate collaboration between the artists.
Benson Phuthego who will also be performing said he grew up listening to music greats like Tshola.
“It was during the times of struggle and artists sang music that ignited hope in people’s hearts. Those were the artists who inspired us to become musicians,” he said.
For her part Nono Siile who had just returned from a concert in Japan said she promises to replicate her international experience during the BOPEU concert. Newcomer Lunar also promised to do her best. “My music is Afro fusion and it is a mixture of jazz and pop music. I have just started and I am trying to get my music to the people,” she said. Local DJ Chrispin the Drummer said it is going to be his first jazz show and his first time performing live.
“I am going to outdo myself and break the rules,” he said. Mafitlhakgosi representative Joseph Ipopeng said the show would help them grow as artists from Old Naledi.
He said just like HHP did with them recently, international artists should take them to perform at their native countries.