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Botswana: Dikakapa Pick Up the Pieces
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Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone)
COLUMN
11 March 2008
Posted to the web 11 March 2008
Mogomotsi Moloi
Traditional music heavyweights Dikakapa are busy vitalising their dented image after last year's controversial departure of talented lead singer Gong Master.
The group's promoter and spokesperson Moagi 'Jumbo' Lekoni has conceded that Gong Master left a void but they are doing all they can to revive their fortunes.
He said they have roped in another talented member to replace Gong Master who departed under controversial circumstances last year to go solo. He has since re-introduced himself through an album called Dumelang. Though he did not perform at Dikakapa DVD launch at Chez-Ntemba Night Club over the weekend, the towering artiste graced the event that attracted a satisfactory crowd. Jumbo said that after Gong Master left there was a nosedive in sales of their music. The Dikakapa promoter regrets the shakeup in the group but promises music fans that they are still going strong. "We are all talented dancers and singers. So I see no obstacle in taking traditional music to greater heights," Jumbo said. The group has since shelved all shows to focus on their second album, Bomalome to be released on DVD. The move is meant to take the group to the people and make them know the members. Jumbo added that the DVD would help in marketing the group better.
He said the launch at Chez-Ntemba went well and they hope for better tidings. "It all went well and according to our plans. We really noticed the DVD launch has potential starting from the way it was marketed," said the traditional music dancer.
Dikakapa gave fans an opportunity to view the Bomalome DVD on a giant screen, mounted on the left corner of the stage. Former Bakwena chief, Keineetse Sebele expresses his satisfaction with the way Dikakapa does their music in an interview on the DVD. He hails the group for reviving the traditional music genre, which was seemingly dying. He said the music does not have explicit language and this is what Batswana appreciate.
A number of artistes and groups that supported the Dikakapa DVD launch gave night crawlers an awesome performance. The likes of Doctor Vom, whose hit song Tsaya Thobane is taking the music industry by storm, left the crowed craving for more.
With his two female dancers sporting jeremane attire, the fans seemed to like it when Dr Vom stepped off the stage to join them on the dancing floor. Award winning jazz sensation Lister Boleseng gave a good performance, though the youthful crowd demanded other genres than jazz.
Mingo, the young Stompi, Shumba Ratshega, former Matsieng member Ditiro 'DT' Loero did not disappoint when they took to the stage in the wee hours of Sunday. Though he still has to launch himself as a solo artiste, Loero promises to give other traditional musicians a run for their money.
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Only Combiman-cum-musician Senyonfere received a hostile reception because the audience was not happy with his performance.
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