Morwa Tsankana goes solo
Spira Tlhankane | Tuesday January 24, 2017 16:07
At the time he was known as Kgwasimo but now Morwa Tsankana has finally released his solo album after numerous collaborations in the past.
His album is titled Boswa Jwa Tau Letlalo and he worked with Ditiro Leero of Maganamokgwa. “Morwa Tsankana wee morwa Tsankana,” Ditiro used to call out his name in songs when the duo was still with Matsieng and now they have resumed what they started. Morwa Tsankana was even featured in Ditiro’s current album Maganamokgwa in the song Ha ntsha tlhogo.
But Morwa Tsankana’s new album represents both comeback and growth for a man who was not only loved with for his articulation but also his use of Setswana language. He is a man who is not afraid to voice out his concerns however brutal they are. In one of his songs entitled Ga o utlwe, Morwa Tsankana continues his Tinto trademark by condemning the actions of a man called Philemon.
But the first part of the eight-tracked album delivers a tough collaboration between Morwa Tsankana and Ditiro Leero. The title track Boswa ja tau letlalo is a song that shows the singer his appreciation for his Setswana heritage and culture. Morwa Tsankana and Leero also show their strong knowledge in Setswana in the song Lo a rutla. Even though Morwa Tsankana still maintains the rhythm of traditional music, his songs create a language rich environment for those who never have a chance to read Setswana books.
In one of the best tracks in the album called Bogologolo, Morwa Tsankana went all out to address the societal issues like dynamic culture that is slowly disappearing. He reminisces about the ‘good old days’. The eight minute track is not a fast tune but and it has the ability to take the mind all the way back.
It would not be Morwa Tsankana without an element of phathisi. In the song titled Dithabeng, Morwa Tsankana brings a sound that was synonymous with the likes of Machesa Tradtional Group back in the days. With whistles on the background, the song also warms up the beautiful feeling of the phatisi dance. In the album he also has a dikwaere song called molelo.
In an interview with Showbiz, real name Daniel Tsankana, Morwa Tsankana said he started working on the album in June last year. He said the title means that the only thing Batswana benefit from a lion is the skin.
“I worked with Ditiro on this album and he is an artist who knows Setswana language very well and that’s one of the things I leant from him,” he said.
Morwa Tsankana said he has not changed from the man we knew more than a decade ago when Tinto was released. He said the name Kgwasimo was only used during that time but his trademark is now Morwa Tsankana. He said the album will be launched on January 29 in Ramotswa. Morwa Tsankana did not rule out the working with Matsieng. “We can always help where we can, we don’t know what might happen,” he said.