Ditiro Leero unveils his protege Morwa Tsankana
Thalefang Charles | Tuesday January 31, 2017 13:29
The dust from their phathisi as they hit down hard on the small stage competed with the strong stench of old urine coming from a toilet nearby.
The crowd was loving it. Before long, dust engulfed the small low lit bar as everyone got lost in a traditional music.
Although it was Morwa Tsankana’s night, an album launch of his new album Boswa Ja Tau Letlalo, it sounded more like Ditiro Leero’s show. This is because Ditiro was presenting one of his favourite apprentices.
Even the first line of the first song called Morupi, which literally mean ‘initiate’ (person) on the Tsankana’s album comes from Ditiro saying “Morwa Tsankana ke okola maoko” meaning “I am clearing the way”.
Both clad in leopard print muscle tops, Ditiro introduced Tsankana saying, “Se petwana se,” a deep and layered description a master could give to his trainee.
The album launch, held at the same dirty spot where Ditiro performed his first ever show after he was pardoned from prison, sounds like a Ditiro show, just like Tsankana’s album.
In fact the title of the album, Boswa Ja Tau Letlalo comes from Ditiro. The album Ditiro says it is his way of passing the legacy and giving a platform to one of his long time brothers.
“Tsakana is my little brother and my son. I have been coaching Tsankana since secondary school. I took him through Dithakga Tsa Mmino and later to Matsieng. I have been working with him for years and I understand him very well and he too understands my writings,” Ditiro said.
Ditiro brought what he calls “Mophato wame wa Maganamokgwa” to help one of his favourite protégés Tsankana launch his debut album. They included Mmaratwa whom Ditiro says are part of his long list of apprentices. The launch also featured Ramotswa artists like Tyte and Borara. Other artists were Maburu and Kalahari whose dancing received loud cheers from women.
Ditiro revealed that he would be leading his initiates on a trip to Australia next month..