Calistus Kolantsho
28 October 2009
Selebi-Phikwe — They say you can never keep a good man down and the saying has proven true with the dramatic return of Selebi-Phikwe based House-Kwasa musician, Motswedi Tlhabano.
The musician, commonly known by his stage name Mzekillah, the King Priest, said in an interview that he is being managed by a company called Chad-Sadi International. He explained that the company liaises with local and international companies to upgrade local artists' images and their music career.
"My music now has become more vibrant. I have dancers who are always performing with me," Mzekillah said. The pint-sized musician said he has signed a joint venture with Mothers for All, which is an income generating programme for the women of Botswana who are either caring for orphaned children or are HIV positive themselves.
He stated that the organisation teaches these women to make bead jewellery; hand paper bowls amongst others to earn a living from the products.
Mzekillah mentioned that the paper beads are sold in beads shops in United Kingdom and they are also exported to USA and Australia and added that the organisation has also introduced a life skills training programme meant to train women in HIV/AIDS management and prevention.
"As an artist, I see myself as a role model to the youth and with my comeback I will be working with Mothers for All, promoting HIV/AIDS awareness among the youth. We have since scheduled shows in schools and it is during these gigs that the organisation will sell its merchandise, journals, diaries and beadwork products sold bearing messages to the youth about HIV/AIDS," Mzekillah said.
He said proceeds would be used to support mothers looking after orphans.Mzekillah said he is scheduled to tour the whole country propagating the HIV/AIDS message and through his music he believes he will make a huge difference to battle against the scourge especially in Selebi-Phikwe, which has a high prevalence rate.
The singer stated that he released his debut album in 2005 entitled Pompeza with 10 tracks. The album was recorded in Selebi-Phikwe at Trinity Tecord but he was unfortunate because he did not benefit from it."My debut album can still sell today because I now have management. By then I was just in the music industry for fame and excitement but I now have acquired the necessary skills. I recorded my latest offering in Tlokweng and it features artists such as Mshinto and Eureka. I want to go back and record two more tracks that will add value to the album," Mzekillah said. He explained that the album, which should be hitting the music shelves by the beginning of next year, would show that he has grown as an artist.
It would also explode the myth that for any musician to succeed in Botswana he/she has to be in Gaborone. "The album will show people that success is not only in Gaborone but even in Selebi-Phikwe it is possible," he concluded.
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