By Kabelo Mollo
SARS Cov-2, has been a nuisance since it landed on our shores last March. It feels like we’ve been living with this burden for eons now. We have gone through extreme cases of anxiety, to despair, to desperation to hope, back to despair, anxiety and desperation once again. It is a never ending circle of disquiet.
Last week our despair turned to downright confusion and pain as we were struck with the devastating news of the legendary Ts’epo Tshola’s passing. I couldn’t believe it when I saw it on a WhatsApp group chat. Social media with its idiocy has claimed both “BT” and “BhuJazz” lives before, my initial hope was that this was another such case. It wasn’t to be, however, it was confirmed pretty quick by reliable sources. COVID-19 had claimed yet another victim.
I didn’t have any formal education in Sesotho in my formative years. I haven’t ever been taught to read or write the language. I learned it from my parents and siblings and then from Sankomota and Ts’epo Tshola. Being somewhat disconnected from Lesotho growing up away from here, I suppose I always yearned for a connection to the mother land.
BT was exactly that, a famous import from Motlotlehi’s Kingdom with a rich vocabulary for me to learn from and exploit. I would listen to his songs, pick up a word or phrase, and then ask one of my parents what it meant. Often I’d pick something up in its literal form and then the folks would have to explain that it’s actually an idiom. It was always both amusing and interesting for a young lad.
When my sister who is blind graduated from university, Ntate Ts’epo graced her party with his presence. He was already very well acquainted with my parents but had also taken a minder or big brother role with my brother and his friends. He was at his ebullient best that day. Making jokes, and entertaining those around him. He was eventually convinced to pray/sing for us.
I remember him doing a little prayer and then singing a verse or two of a song I think he’d been inspired to write that very day called “beyond what the eye can see”. My sister still hails that as one of her greatest moments in life. Inspiring “BT” to think up a song. No mean feat certainly.
Many years later when I was a young adult I had an awesome encounter with “Senganga”. That’s what my brother and his cohort called him, so I jumped on that train too. It was a MACUFE weekend, and as is customary at events like that, I had imbibed some nectar of the Gods. With it being the precursor to the main event, it was only right to warm up sufficiently. I can’t remember the name of the venue but, I was walking down a flight of stairs when I caught his likeness.
I was instantly struck by pure excitement and as I reached him exclaimed “Senganga, what are you drinking” as if to offer to buy him a drink. In his distinctly cool demeanour, with a straight face he responded “ebe mor’a Mollo o nahana ne ntse Ke noa eng pele a fihla”. Basically, why does this boy think I was waiting for him before I could enjoy a tipple. It was both hilarious and disarming. Any pomposity I may have been carrying from the nectar of the Gods was instantly diminished. I was cut back to size! He promptly enquired after my parents well-being and warned that I take good care of them as they were my greatest blessing.
That same evening much later on he said something I’ve never forgotten. It was brilliant, and I probably shouldn’t share it, but I’m going to use artistic license. While enjoying his drink, a fair maiden passed by where we were standing. In appreciating her form, he quietly said “Bopa, Molimo”. As I had seen what he was referring to, I was in hysterics at the turn of phrase. Always the wordsmith, always the raconteur.
BT and Sankomota’s story is a reminder to us all that Lesotho has talent. It is reminder that come what may our people have the ability to shine on the world’s stage if they can just be given a shot. Theirs is also a reminder that you need not wait for the chance to be offered, but you can actually create the opportunity for yourselves, through grit and determination. It is a reminder that adversity isn’t permanent and that resilience will take you a long way.
If we don’t learn that we must love who and what we are from “Senganga” and the like, then we’ll never learn anything. For me his passing is a jolting reminder to “act now, ask questions later”. In 2019 we had intended as Sky Alpha HD to honour him with a legacy celebration of fifty years in entertainment. We had intended to do a big over the top celebration. Partly to celebrate our own Inception but mainly because it was our view that the legend deserved a tribute in that manner. It is too late now but I hope he knew how much he meant to so many. Even those of us who didn’t know him well personally.
I learned only last week of the name “Mobu” and I suppose I will continue learning of many things related to the icon. To his boys, and his family, to all whose lives he touched, it only makes sense for us to quote him and say “Ho Lokile, Ho Lokile”. He will shine his light in to our lives.
