Illustrative Setswana singer, Maghebula, releases his sixth album

Alfred Keorete, popularly known as Maghebula, celebrates Botswana through expressing himself in his mother language, Setswana. His sixth album, dubbed Kua, Oketsa Modumo, which was released last week addresses most social ills experienced in society.

The outspoken artist insists that being proficient in Setswana is also a talent. Maghebula has been known in the music industry for his clever use of the Setswana language in traditional music and inculcating humour in his songs to share messages that inspire and inform both the young and old.

He explains that his chosen genre of music also allows him to address sexual issues without an innuendo, because some issues are still considered taboo and it is difficult to openly and freely discuss them. The first track of the new album, ‘Bomme’ (Single mothers) is an inspirational song that it encourages single mothers to persevere amidst life’s challenges and also urges the entire men to care for their children and never abandon them. It literally points out that men often give women a burden of raising children alone as if they are not part of the child’s life.

Maghebula says that he is impressed by the feedback that he gets from the general public. “People always tell me that my music is quite informative and inspires them to make better life decisions. I was more impressed by the feedback I received over the song ‘Ga go sa ragwa ka lenao’ which loosely translated, meant that it is important to condomise in this era of HIV/AIDS and one cannot have intercourse without a condom,” he says.

His fourth song from the new album, dubbed Makgarebe is meant to awaken young women and enlighten them about prostitution and its side effects. The song denounces prostitution and defines a woman of substance as the one who does not practice commercial sex work for a living. According to Maghebula, a true African woman should not exchange money for sexual relations, but rather honour her body.

The illustrative singer and songwriter is available for bookings this festive season and hopes to criss-cross across the country sharing his motivational music. “A lot of people lose self-control during the festive season and my music aims to challenge irresponsible behaviour. I hope Batswana will heed my call for us to become responsible people,” he says. Maghebula will perform at the Bobirwa Festive Punch on November 24th in Bobonong.