Serowe — The Kgalemang Tumediso Motsete (KTM) Choral Choir commemorated the life of the late Gomolemo Motswaledi with a music concert at Swaneng Hill School in Serowe on Saturday.
While in Serowe, the KTM Choir also visited the grave sites of national anthem composer, Dr Kgalemang Motsete, Gomolemo "Sir G" Motswaledi, and Setty Monnaapula to lay wreaths at their tombs.
The choir manager, Kaone Mongale, noted in an interview that while Motswaledi's credentials as a politician have never been in doubt, many might not know he was also an acclaimed musician.
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Motswaledi founded the choir in 1993 and led it to prominence and dominance within choral music circles.
Mongale stated that Motswaledi contributed immensely to the choir during his lifetime, and the group has been preparing this tribute ever since his passing.
Motswaledi died at the age of 44 in a car crash on July 30, 2014, along the A1 road near Pitshane.
Mongale shared that Motswaledi held a special place in their hearts because his leadership shaped the choir's current success.
The event also served as a celebration of his birthday and a "homecoming" for the many choir members who originally hail from Serowe.
According to Mongale, Motswaledi groomed most of the members into the skilled singers they are today, contributing significantly to the choir's growth by composing and arranging music.
Under his foundational legacy, the choir has consistently participated in and won national competitions.
They have also competed internationally, winning gold medals in Sweden in 2018 and later in South Korea.
Mongale emphasised that if properly diversified, choral music could create local employment and help diversify the Botswana economy.
The Member of Parliament for Serowe North, who is also the Assistant Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Baratiwa Mathoothe, attended the event.
He encouraged self-reliance through music, highlighting the creative arts as a powerful tool for economic empowerment, social cohesion, and youth development.
Mathoothe remarked that by building careers in the creative economy, artists could take control of their livelihoods rather than depending entirely on traditional employment or state support.
He emphasised the importance of self-reliance and the commercialisation of creative work. "Music serves as the universal language of humanity," Mathoothe said.
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He noted that music was vital to society because it united communities, preserved cultural heritage and drove social change. The concert featured high-energy performances that kept spectators on their feet.
BOPA
