Folklore singer Kgaila steals the show

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Tuesday November 16, 2010 00:00

 

Sibongi proves to everyone that he can master the stringed instrument.  At some stage he was even talking to his guitar and it literally obliged.  

The folkrole artist often left the audience crying for more as he belted out his popular tunes.  Sibongi says he has already recorded some of his tracks.  Sibongi is a self-taught musician who started playing as a young boy when he was herding cattle.

 He recalled that he developed interest in musical instruments at an early age much to the disapproval of his parents.  'I designed my own tin guitars, but my parents were against that; they did not want me to play music,' he said.

Apparently, his parents associated music with the good-for-nothing boys.  They felt that if he played music he would end up roaming the streets as a loafer.

But Sibongi would not take any of that and secretly continued to play his favourite instrument.  In the evenings, he would conceal the instrument in the kraal.  'When I was taking cattle for grazing I would take it with me,' he said.   While he was keeping one eye on the cattle, he would also be perfecting his skill on the guitar.  

But he was often in trouble when his parents caught him red-handed with the instrument.  'They always destroyed my guitars,' he recalls.  When he graduated from the cattle post chores, Sibongi found his way to the bright lights of cosmopolitan Gaborone.  This is where he started to play serious music. 

In the capital city, Sibongi interacted with the more established musicians and he learnt a trick or two from them. 

Great guitarists like Tokozi inspired him.  'I started playing the guitar seriously since my parents were not around; I practised and practised,' said the guitarist.   His parents gave up the battle when they heard his songs on Radio Botswana (RB).  Sibongi says they have now accepted his vocation.  He depends of the guitar to support his family, including his parents.   Sibongi, who originates from Thamaga, used to perform in bars.  But he said since the new liquor regulations were implemented things have changed, as bar owners are no longer willing to hire musicians.  As a result, Sibongi said, life has become tougher for him because he cannot find business.  He said the only consolation is that at times other musicians like Socca Moruakgomo invite him whenever they are performing.  He occasionally gets booked to perform at weddings as well.

Sibongi has his own band, which is based in Molepolole, but the drawback is that they do not have transport to take them to shows.  He is appealing to some Good Samaritans who can come to the rescue of his group, especially by hiring them for shows. 

Sibongi has recorded his second album, which will soon be released.  The album is entitled Ditsala Di Tsamaile. 

Sibongi decried that he did not make anything from his debut album.

He complained that he was not given anything from the sales of the album, Mandela Road, which was released in 2004.  'I did not get anything from the sales of this album not even P100,' the musician said.  Other musicians who performed at the Dithubaruba festival included Malefo Mokha, who is popularly known as 'Stampore'.  The ever-popular Stampore also excelled with his box guitar.  Another guitarist who performed was known as 'Solly'.  The young guitarist proved that he has what it takes.  There were also performances by choirs, traditional and drama groups.  Poets Moroka Moreri also had a field day during the festival.