Remembering the lion of song

He prances about on the stage in a suggestive manner as he sings explicit lyrics to the amusement of older members of his audience as he holds his trademark whisk  Like most artists, he is not afraid to express himself, tackling controversial issues that most people would rather not talk about through song.  This is the picture that those who got the opportunity to meet the lion of song, the late Speech Madimabe have in mind whenever his name is mentioned.

Madimabe has been described as one of the leading artists in the country.  When it comes to local folk music and traditional poetry, Speech occupies a lofty place with the likes of Ratsie Setlhako, Ponatshego Mokane, Sekokotla Kaboeamodimo, Ndona Poifo, Gaotswesepe Robalang, George Swabi, Andries Bok and others.  Even younger artists like Otlaathusa Tshipa, better known as Deben Natale, have gone on record saying that they have been greatly influenced by Madimabe, whom he also claims was his uncle.