Dikakapa shoots video

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Wednesday January 30, 2008 00:00

 

Group leader Moagi 'Jumbo' Lekone said the DVD, which depicts the country's cultural and tourism aspects, will be released next month and launched in March.

He said the DVD was shot at places like the Molepolole Kgotla, a pan in Sekoma and also at sand dunes in Tsabong. Lekone explained that part of the shooting was done in Mochudi as a dedication to the group's song Bakgatla.

He said this time round there has been marked improvement compared to their first DVD when they did not have much experience.

'We are promising Batswana that this will be the best DVD ever. It is not only about selling our group but it (is) also about celebrating Setswana culture.'

The DVD, according to him, is not only targeted at local audiences but the international market as well. 'We want people in other countries to know about our culture,' says the affable artiste.

Dikakapa shot to fame in 2006, after the release of their debut album, Selempu re a kae Batswana.   

However, this year the traditional group is not intending to record any album. The group plans to market the Bomalome album. Lekone said it would take time before they release another album. He said their latest album is still doing well on the market. 'I think the album has much potential because we are selling it even outside the country,' he said. The first album and its DVD are doing well on both South African and Namibian markets as well. 

Lekone said they have staged successful shows in South Africa. 'People in South Africa know about our music,' he said, adding that their songs are in high demand there. 
Meanwhile, Leone told Showbiz that the departure of their front man, Mponang 'Gong Master' Ketshabile, has affected their performances. He said Gong Master's voice had come to be associated with the group. 'But with or without our lead singer, the show has to go on,' he said.

The nine-member Dikakapa was formed in 2005 and has since then been riding the crest of wave. Some of its members used to be with different groups like Mongwana and Ditholwana.

Lekone said they called themselves Dikakapa due to their commitment to traditional music. All of them have been doing traditional music since their primary school days. 

He said they are trend-setters when it comes to traditional music, adding that they have invented different traditional music styles, which other groups are copying.

He said even their stage gear is popular, adding that Dikakapa is now so popular that most children associate them with traditional music.