Keitsile gives gospel music a Dikhwaere touch

CHIPPA LEGODIMO
Correspondent | Thursday August 26, 2010 00:00

Those who use music mostly believe there are certain tunes, which are 'godly' and more relevant to accompany carefully crafted lyrics that show much respect for God.

Yet there are others who would use house beats or even Kwasa-kwasa influenced instrumentation when they compose gospel music.  One of them is budding musician, Keatlaretse Pona Keitsile who has seen it fit to use one of Botswna's popular styles of music Dikhwaere to convey the holy message. Keitsile, who only recently debuted with the album called Rorisang Morena, has composed one gospel track with that contemporary Dikhwaere feel and this number is bound to earn her many followers, as it will give listeners both the traditional and spiritual feeling.

The track A Swela Melato demonstrates how Jesus Christ died for man's sins, but it was crafted such that even those who never read the Bible to feel the urge to follow its tune and therefore its lyrics. But it is not only this song that brings the 28-year-old's rough talent to the fore.  The whole album is a journey through diverse music styles all fused together to come up with a 'fine' first album. A little bit of house tunes here, 'natural gospel tunes' there, Hip-hop and some Afro Pop.

The Serowe-born musician believes music makes more sense if it is able to get almost everybody hooked and that being a Christian would not stop her from working with other artistes from other genres or bring other beats which might otherwise not be considered gospel material by other people.

'I am not that stubborn of a Christian.  I would say I am a moderate one who has accepted that change is part of this life including the Christian faith. I would have a problem performing at a kwaito festival that is why I have used dikhwaere in my album. More and more people are into that type of music - which is originally our music in Botswana - and if it can help me reach a larger audience then why not use it? I am not that much into that kind of music, but I have realised its potential,' she said.

The natural talent is clearly there but the rough edges would need some filing before she could be proclaimed a real competitor. With a naturally powerful voice like her there was no need for her to try to pull the cord that high.In the title track, there would instances when she would be slightly off tune because she tried too hard. But in those lines when she cooled off and used more of her natural voice she would sound very good.

'I am still learning but I believe I have what it takes to compete with the giants. This album was only released two months back and although it has not sold many copies so far I have been impressed with the response. But when I did it I was not after making a profit; my main objective was just to get a chance to show people what I am capable of and then I would think of money in the second album,' she said.

Released under Afro Heavens Creations in Sefhophe, the album was co-produced by the stable owner Molebedi Chilly Segona and Benjamina Mhiribidi.  Keitsile, who works as a machine operator at a local firm in Gaborone, believes the young company would help her career reach new heights.

'I met Chilly while he was still here in Gaborone and from that day I have remained positive that he is the right person to help me take my career off the ground. It did not bother me that I had to travel to Sefophe for rehearsals and recordings and return to Gaborone for work. The company is new and I am also new in this industry so we both are willing to listen to each other,' she said.