The band that made blind people see

CHIPPA LEGODIMO
Staff Writer | Friday June 14, 2013 00:00

 

Seeing the Pudulogong Rehabilitation Centre music shine on stage one could be mistaken for doubting if indeed all the members were visually challenged.In the early 90s Anna Fiki was the golden voice at the fore of the band. Her performance of tracks like Heita Da and Swahili left behind a trail of cheers and tears from admiring audiences.Later other talented musicians in the mould of the late Don B (Donald Botshelo) and Pastrica Kgole carried the button forward.But now the Pudulogong Rehabilitation Centre's music band seems to have gone into limbo in recent years.

A change of strategy at the centre is reported to be the main cause. The focus is more on music training than establishing a permanent band.Kgole has gone through the ranks to become a music trainer at the institution and insists what is more important is to produce future music stars who can use their skills for survival.Training coordinator Themba Sibanda shared the same sentiments saying that lack of funds has hindered their plans to have a permanent band.'This band has been the pride of the institution and continues to impress when ever invited to perform. But we do not have the resources to keep a permanent band because that would entail accommodation, allowances and other things,' Sibanda said.Sibanda stated that the institution takes music seriously, adding that all students including those enrolled for other courses were eager to learn.

'We take music very seriously. Music here is used as therapy because whenever one of them feels low he or she would come here in the workshop and play music, visually impaired people naturally are attracted to music and resources permitting we would love to keep those showing good potential here after completing their courses,' he said.  Kgole himself is a recording artist and says he is hopeful that he would inspire his class to dream big. 'I learnt all the basics here at Pudulogong before I was sent for further studies in Zimbabwe and came back as a trainer. So I can instil a sense of self-belief among the students. They look up to me, often commending me after my songs are played on radio and that alone is motivation for me and them to work towards excellence,' Kgole said.

Although the band changes faces every year as the training period is only two years, Kgole highlighted that his prodigies continue to make strides.  The continuous invitation to both low and high profile events such as SADC meetings, he insists do not come out of sympathy.The band, which uses both traditional and modern instruments such as marimba and electronic keyboards recently entertained the crowd during President Ian Khama's visit to Oodi village. They have also entertained at the European Union's (EU) commemoration of Queen Elizabeth II's birthday. Kgole, who is also a good disco dancer-cum vocalist, is determined to add to a list of his good products. One of his former students, Thomas Phemelo, is lead singer at Lentswe la batlhoka pono, a disco ensemble of visually impaired artists. Another one Frank Morekwa has his own recording studio in Ramotswa and it is perhaps the success of musicians like Don B that inspires Kgole to strive to match his predecessors at the institution in producing polished musicians.

'Don B was a year ahead of me and having been a friend, I'm still inspired to this day by what he achieved as a solo artist after completing his studies here.Without taking anything from his talent, I believe his training played a big role in moulding him into such an accomplished musician,' Kgole said.