Legendary Bonjo to receive new house
Motlhaolosa Poetry Ensemble is embarking on a project to build a house for jazz legend, Bonjo Keipedile.
Bonjo is a great music icon born in 1954 at Goo Tshosa ward in Serowe. He is one of the few Batswana musicians to juggle playing the lead guitar and singing. He is also a song writer. He has groomed a lot of musicians including; Ditiro Dijeng, Scobirol Lekhutile and Koolopile among others.
Bonjo started his music career around the 1970s in Serowe with John Ratshosa who had music instruments at the time, making their career flexible. Bonjo has shared the stage with Ratshosa and the late Thami Gala who happens to be his mentor. He also stole the Francistown music scene as he danced and sang with Clement Jackson, the late Ricky Molefe and Louis Mhlanga.
From Francistown, Bonjo relocated to Gaborone and formed ‘Every Mothers Son Band’, a four-piece band composed of Bonjo Keipedile, Moss Ramatu commonly known as DJ Moss, Mike Kate from Ramotswa and Ricky Molefe.
Bonjo later became part of the Medu Art Ensemble project where they did music and poetry under Dashiki. In Dashiki he worked with legends including; Jonas Gwangwa, Lefifi Tladi and Oupa Rantshebele. Bonjo shared that during the Dashiki times, they used to feature Rampholo Molefe and Sonti Ndebele amongst others.
Motlhaolosa believes that Bonjo remains an integral part in the music history of Botswana and the general success story of Botswana. Following President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s footprints on embracing talent and history of Botswana music, Motlhaolosa got inspiration from his message during the launch of Botswana Arts Council.
Founder at Motlhaolosa, Moroka Moreri said that after this speech, they were convinced that they had to do something for this legend. “The president’ eloquent speech was so much of a definition of Bonjo Keipedile. Masisi said that this is one man who deserves documentaries, placements in halls of fame, Naledi ya Botswana awards and above all recognition by all Batswana. After this touching statement, we knew we had to do something,” said Moreri.
He added that Bonjo remains a critical figure as a peace maker, who jelled with the then exiles and made international diplomacy through music. “He needs to be celebrated amongst other cultural workers in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini and Zimbabwe as the conscription train of Hugh Masakela, and the Medu Arts Ensemble motto, The people shall defeat aggression and destabilisation,” he said.
Moreri explained that through a ceremony to be held at Goo Tshosa ward this Saturday 24th February, 2024, they will unveil the Bonjo’s house plan drawn by Lokwalo Mosienyane, and a donation of food hampers by Motlhaolosa.
Bonjo is a great music icon born in 1954 at Goo Tshosa ward in Serowe. He is one of the few Batswana musicians to juggle playing the lead guitar and singing. He is also a song writer. He has groomed a lot of musicians including; Ditiro Dijeng, Scobirol Lekhutile and Koolopile among others.
Bonjo started his music career around the 1970s in Serowe with John Ratshosa who had music instruments at the time, making their career flexible. Bonjo has shared the stage with Ratshosa and the late Thami Gala who happens to be his mentor. He also stole the Francistown music scene as he danced and sang with Clement Jackson, the late Ricky Molefe and Louis Mhlanga.
From Francistown, Bonjo relocated to Gaborone and formed ‘Every Mothers Son Band’, a four-piece band composed of Bonjo Keipedile, Moss Ramatu commonly known as DJ Moss, Mike Kate from Ramotswa and Ricky Molefe.
Bonjo later became part of the Medu Art Ensemble project where they did music and poetry under Dashiki. In Dashiki he worked with legends including; Jonas Gwangwa, Lefifi Tladi and Oupa Rantshebele. Bonjo shared that during the Dashiki times, they used to feature Rampholo Molefe and Sonti Ndebele amongst others.
Motlhaolosa believes that Bonjo remains an integral part in the music history of Botswana and the general success story of Botswana. Following President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s footprints on embracing talent and history of Botswana music, Motlhaolosa got inspiration from his message during the launch of Botswana Arts Council.
Founder at Motlhaolosa, Moroka Moreri said that after this speech, they were convinced that they had to do something for this legend. “The president’ eloquent speech was so much of a definition of Bonjo Keipedile. Masisi said that this is one man who deserves documentaries, placements in halls of fame, Naledi ya Botswana awards and above all recognition by all Batswana. After this touching statement, we knew we had to do something,” said Moreri.
He added that Bonjo remains a critical figure as a peace maker, who jelled with the then exiles and made international diplomacy through music. “He needs to be celebrated amongst other cultural workers in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini and Zimbabwe as the conscription train of Hugh Masakela, and the Medu Arts Ensemble motto, The people shall defeat aggression and destabilisation,” he said.
Moreri explained that through a ceremony to be held at Goo Tshosa ward this Saturday 24th February, 2024, they will unveil the Bonjo’s house plan drawn by Lokwalo Mosienyane, and a donation of food hampers by Motlhaolosa.
