Tse Tilodi to add colour to heritage month

MONKAGEDI GAOTLHOBOGWE
Staff Writer | Thursday July 15, 2010 00:00

 

The stories about Tse Tilodi have been coming out in dribs and drabs like rare rains from the successes of Culture Spears.

Yes, the story goes that all the founding four members of Culture Spears, including Kabelo Mogwe, Thembeni Ramosetlheng, Magdeline Lesolebe, Jelinah Mokgwatheng (who left the group on account of poor health last year), were part of Tse Tilodi, dancing around lodges until they decided to carve a recording career in 2005.

Another   outfit to emerge from Tse Tilodi is a group called Matsosa Ngwao, released in 2008 by the now defunct Kalakuta Records.

Just who Tse Tilodi are, how graceful their dance moves are, and what kind of songs they play will be witnessed on Sunday at the Sir Seretse Khama Barracks, and on national television, when  the legendary group competed for the first time in the national finals of the Heritage month festivals.

Tse Tilodi will field a strong 25-member team, as they compete in Phathisi dance style, where they will be up against recording groups Tsosang Ngwao of Kanye, and Dipela Tsa Ga Kobokwe.

Interestingly, another Tse Tilodi offshoot, Matsosa Ngwao will also be taking part in the Heritage month national finals. The group that burst onto the scene with the popular track Coca-Cola, will nonetheless compete in the Setapa category, with groups from Gantsi, Selebi-Phikwe and Gaborone.

Meantime, Tse Tilodi's most successful offshoot, Culture Spears is also set to make a mark at this year's festivities.  A Mosakaso band founded by Culture Spears called Ekentolo, which last Christmas caused waves with the hit song Chika, will be participating as well. However, Ekentolo will be featuring in the Best Backtrack category alongside the likes of Keba Phiri, Winnie Mathaba, and Goddy 1999% Africa. And anyone wishing to catch a glimpse of them will have to head for Tsholofelo Park on Saturday, where the contemporary music category will be staged.

However, early indications are that Chika could go all the way to steal the show and win the Best Overall Group category.  Rock 'n' Roll lovers will be entertained by the vibrant Metal Orison, a rock band which has stood the test of time, since they were established in the 1990s. Reggae man, Ras Jesus, and kwasakwasa maestro Chris Manto 7 are some of the regulars at this event who never fail to thrill their fans.

Last year, the contemporary music category also boasted big names like Punah Gabasiane, Nono Siele, and Banjo Mosele, of the Ntsa E Jele Ntsanyana fame.