Thekiso blooms into Botswana's best classical pianist

NELSON DIRENG
Correspondent | Thursday August 25, 2011 00:00

 

Back in the day parents encouraged their children to branch into careers like medicine, law and teaching as they traditionally portrayed success. However with the ever-dynamic culture the 21st Century generation has come to appreciate that it is possible for one to make a living with their passion. This can be evidenced by the way a lot of schools, colleges and universities have taken the step to accommodate subjects such as sports and music in their curriculum. Sports, music and entertainment have also become so popular that they have turned into great money-spinners.

It is thus not surprising that when Maru-A-Pula offered him a scholarship in appreciation of him being one of their top senior school performers in 2006, 22-year-old pianist Laone Thekiso decided music was his calling. The decision was, however, not instant as Thekiso says that he decided he would major in music only last year when he was doing his third year at the Williams Liberal Arts College in the United States of America (US). Answering a question about why he decided to go the music route, the bold Thekiso told Showbiz that he would have never been happy pursuing anything else. He has, however, advised parents to let their children pursue careers they are passionate about. He said that being a Motswana is an advantage that people should exploit. 'There are not a lot of Batswana pursuing exotic careers and people are always eager to see what a person from an unknown country has to offer,' he said. Thekiso acknowledged that it was indeed a risk to branch into a career because it is your passion. He, however, said that if one is skilled enough to compete internationally then there should not be much to worry about.

The Mochudi-born lad has come to master his art so much that he is without a doubt one of the best classical pianists from Botswana. He is able to play sonatas composed by legendary pianists like Beethoven, Franz Liszt and Mozart.

Thekiso is currently striving to pave his way to success. He is currently studying music because he believes that he can only reach his peak through education. 'College has taught me so much about music that I do not think I would have learnt if I went straight into learning the piano,' he said. Thekiso, who would be starting his final year next month, said that he would like to get a Masters Degree possibly focusing on the piano thereafter. He said for now, he does not consider himself a professional. 'I would only consider myself a professional if I am able to host and get paid for shows,' he said.

Thekiso has done a couple of shows locally, but last Friday's show at the Maitisong auditorium titled 'Laone On The Edge' was notable. Despite it being his first solo performance at home, Thekiso was able to leave the crowd mesmerised. He, however, said that he is not looking at joining the Botswana industry anytime soon, a decision he made looking at the little appreciation Batswana have for the classical piano. 'I would first like to make a name for myself internationally and only then can I decide on giving back to my fellow countrymen,' he said. He said he would one day like to see himself giving a performance at the famous Carnegie Hall in New York.

Thekiso said that the first time he got exposed to a piano was when he was seven-years-old at a time when he and his family were living in Sweden. He said the school he went to had piano playing as one if its extracurricular activities. 'I never thought I would one day want to be a professional player because I played only because I enjoyed playing,' he said. He said he kept on playing even when his family returned to Botswana in 1999. It was, however, not until 2002 when Thekiso got introduced to Olga Merker, a private piano tutor who helped improve the young pianist's skills. Thekiso said that after graduating from Maru-A-Pula the school offered him a US scholarship.

He has since gotten a private tutor who still mentors him in the US. Thekiso has been able to make a name for himself at his school as he won first place in a competition titled Berthshire Symphony Soloist that was organised by his college. Another notable prize was his third place finish in a high school competition named the Audrey Thayer piano competition. Apart from the piano, the lad plays the marimba and is also a 'step' dancer.