Seasoned SA musician, Sekeke Botsime - with his dexterous guitar in tow - wowed many denizens of Thaba Nchu and the Free State, with his new lyrical offering titled MOPHAPATHEGI (Homeless)
"SLK", who brought the house down during his shows says, "The current sad situation in Ukraine - under siege by Russia - made it clear to me that life can be so unpredictable.
"War has caused so much distress to those affected, the hapless refugees... who knows, it might be one's turn to pack one's bags in search of a better place - to eke out some sort of existence far away from home ... horrendous!"
Seleke adds wistfully, his fingers unconsciously strumming his guitar: "The political instability of our own continent (Africa) shows that accountability is something most of our leaders lack... we fail to be the change that we want.
"Hence my music calls for a better Africa "
Cameroonian writer Mbella Sonne Dipoko (1936 - 2009) was mainly depicted as an erotic writer of sorts; whereas the simple truth is that he was a very good novelist and poet. His novels in particular disturbed a number of critics, reviewers and readers because of the rather explicit sexual content therein. That was way back in the 60s when some felt that a "serious, committed African writer" should not dwell too much on such things. As Paul Theroux suggested then decades ago, African writers were supposed to write "about solid tribal wisdom, ghoulish rituals and the inscrutable cruelty of colonialism - not to mention the inclusion of semi-profound proverbs and the utterances of very old men with dry skin and wizened faces." Yet, even way back in the 60s (and early seventies) other distinguished African writers wrote about sex in some detail in their works; for example Ayi Kwei Armah ( especially in Fragments), Chinua Achebe (A man of the People), ...
Keep it up, Crooner
ReplyDeleteTHE GREAT SLK - Sage and Mystic !
ReplyDeleteI know that Mr Botsime is an interesting artist, a writer and poet. I see him a lot on social media, though we are many thousands of kilometres apart. Congratulations on his latest release
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Sir.
ReplyDeleteI'm privileged to listened to sensational Setswana musician SLK music. He is singing about love, culture, poverty, African people and leaders and calling for betterment of Africa in general. That is why he says, his music is for Africa. Situation in Ukraine is sad.
ReplyDeleteGee, an important piece of music, with Russia attacking Ukraine at the moment. How unfortunate - we must all condemn this violation of a country and its people, those directly affected by the war, refugees etc, as the musician points out
ReplyDeleteMR Botsime as a musician hit the limelight in SA many years ago with his hit, Zimbabwe. Interestingly, he is also a writer and an award winning journalist. It's good to see that he is still relevant, and empathetic with his new offering of music. We hope the world becomes a better place, with wars having no place
ReplyDeleteThis celebrated singer used to have a very fine column in a newspaper, I recall. Unputdownable!
ReplyDeleteI remember his old column too, very readable and edifying
ReplyDeleteA relevant, modern musician .I think it is commendable
ReplyDeleteSinging against violence, war etc is very welcome
ReplyDeleteWell done, SLK !
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