Afro Sunshine Music Is Back

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Monday November 30, 2009 00:00

This was one of the first albums by a local group to go on sale in Botswana.  During the 80s, Batswana were only exposed to recorded music by South African artistes.  It was very difficult for local artistes to record due to lack of financial resources and recording facilities.  By then recording facilities were only available in countries like South Africa and Zimbabwe. 

Afro Sunshine used to be one of the country's top Afro pop groups in the 80s.  They released their popular album in 1989 before the group disbanded following some misunderstandings.  Although it was released 20 years ago, the album has always been in demand.  This is what motivated Sejeso and Alexander to reprint it.

The eight-track album included the tracks; Afro Sunshine, Mmaebeke, Ma Basket, Tote, Sisi Langeni and Re ba lebile. Ma Basket was the hit track of the album.  The hugely talented Sejeso composed almost all the songs on the album except Mmaebeke, which was done by Gino Maposa.  But unfortunately members of Afro Sunshine were never able to make much money from the album.

Mompati Kgomanyane, who is marketing the album, said the idea of transferring the music from LP to CD was Alexander's initiative.  Kgomanyane considers the re-release of the album to be a special tribute and dedication to the former Afro Sunshine band members who have passed away like Livingstone 'Dollar' Paledi, Chris Mbewe and Alex Kunda.

Sejeso said they decided to re-release the album because people were still asking for it. If the album does well on the market they might regroup, he said.   The Mogoditshane based group was formed in 1983 by Sejeso (keyboard), Ricky Molefe (guitar), Maposa (saxophone), Oupa Phofu (bass), and Ronnie Nkhululu (drums).  Mbewe, Kunda and Paledi later joined them. It was always a delight to see the group on the stage with Sejeso doing his thing on the keyboards.

Vocalist Jeff Malaba also joined the group at a later stage. Afro Sunshine used to stage shows at Mogoditshane venues like the Mogo Hotel and Bodiba Country Club.  They used to rehearse at the Lekadiba Club, which was owned by Queen Kwelagobe, the wife of the BDP strongman.

The band also used to conduct countrywide tours.  In 1990, they performed at the Francistown Stadium.

Afroshine and Kgwanyape, which was led by the late Duncan Senyatso, were the first civilian groups to release albums.  During the same time, Kgwanyape released their album, Mephato ya maloba.  It was the two groups, which put local music on the map. Recalling the days of Afro Sunshine, Sejeso said those were the good times.  He said although they had not formally learnt music but they were able to excel.  But he said things used to be difficult for them at times. He said revelers used to attend their shows in large numbers.   Those were the times when musicians performed live.

Lekofi is performing as a resident artiste at the Grand Palm.  But he would never forget about those good old days. 

In 2000, Lekofi recorded an album for the Botswana Football Association (BFA) to promote the Zebras.  Some of the favourite tunes from the album have been receiving massive airplay on radio when the Zebras are playing. 

Lekofi is one of the artistes who have dedicated their lives to music despite the odds.