Motlha equally impresses at last week’s Mascom Live Session
GOSEGO MOTSUMI
T
he atmosphere at Botswana Craft was electric when iconic kwaito group Bongo Maffin finally took to the stage at last weeks penultimate Mascom Live Session. The pre-eminent South African band built up a solid fan base in Botswana and this marked their first performance in the country after reuniting from their 13-year music hiatus. Decked in an all black and layered with traditional leather while a donning a colorful mask, Stoan Seate set the mood for the performance with the familiar greeting , “Dumelang Batswana, we are happy to be back home,” much to the delight of the audience.
The Thathi Sghubu hitmakers have just released their latest single titled Harare which they performed, alongside their old hits Mari Ye Phepha and The Way kungakhona. Harare bursts with energy and carries an Afro beat influence. In a previous interview with Stoan, he explained that the song does not stray from their signature sound and it represents a new direction for the group. “It won’t be anything that you are used to us doing, but you will recognize it’s a Bongo Maffin song. It is a new era for the group as we are set to drop our new album in the new year,” he said.
The diverse quartet gave an epic an hour-long performance which is relatively short for a live session. They sealed their show with a Harambe cover in honour of fallen Motswako pioneer, Hip Hop Pantsula. “He was a true inspiration and we will continue to honour him and his music. Continue to rest in Motswako morwa Tsambo,” they said.
Perhaps the most pleasant surprise of the evening was the flawless performance by Motlha Mompe who had taken to the stage before Bongo Maffin. He kept the audience on their feet with his popular hits, including Mma Motse and Hisa Hisa among others. Motlha also performed songs from music legends such as Ringo Madlingozi and Oliver Mutukudzi, explaining that they inspired his craft. He was even more grateful for the opportunity to perform on the same stage these legends have graced.
“Batswana I thank you for your continuous support, it is because of you that I went from nothing to something,” he said.