DIKAKAPA ROARS AGAIN
One of the traditional groups that transformed the local traditional music scene, Dikakapa, has returned to their first love, music. For years, the group has been missing in studio.
Many Batswana have waited with abated breath for the day when Dikakapa, would return to the studio. Recently, the group announced that after weeks, and months of hard work, they were done with an eight- track album.
The special thing about this album, dubbed, Tribute to Gongmaster is how it pays tribute to a legend who crafted and made Dikakapa, the giants that they are today. The man in question is none other than the late Mponang ‘ Gongmaster’ Ketshabile. A formidable force in the traditional music genre, Dikakapa wanted to honour one of their fallen soldiers with a powerful song. The album comprises of eight songs. And was produced at Jazman Croft Studios.
This big return sees the group releasing an album after an almost eight- year hiatus.
But it turns out that this was no easy task. For those who knew or were familiar with Gongmaster’s sound, and rich lyrics, they can attest that his music was ordained. It was a special type of music, that can not be replicated. And so, when it came to recording this tribute song in question, it became an uphill battle. Try as they did, they just could not find the right tapestry that could tell a story of who Gongmaster was, and the legacy that he created for the group.
On Tuesday afternoon, Style
caught up with one of the shareholders of the group, Grace Kgwadi who explained that they decided to look outside the band to see if they could find the right fit for this particular song. One name came up, and it happened to be Abednico Baitsile. Kgwadi, better known by the stage name, ‘ Ngo’ explains that for them when it comes to scouting for talent, they do not audition. The person they rope into the group is someone they would have been watching for years, and yearning for his touch. They also want someone who exhibits good manners, and behaves a certain way.
Baitsile fitted exactly what they were looking for. He came for their first meeting, where he informed them that he had something that he had specially composed for Gongmaster. “He told us that Gongmaster recognised his talent, and that he had previously given two of his singles to him,” she explains.
After the departure of Gongmaster, they roped in another talented and one of the best traditional music vocalists in Alponso Koontse aka Tshumu. But this time around, he wanted to focus on the Tshumu brand.
She further says that when the song was being recorded/ played in studio, the group were so immersed in the song that they were not aware there was someone who was recording them. In the clip, it feels like the group was being transported on an emotional rollercoaster.
Whether it is the lyrics, message behind the song or even the way that Baitsile articulates what he wanted to say about his mentor is something that is unclear. Ngo explains that they recently performed at Stix Fresh Grills in Jwaneng, where they left the audience very emotional. She further notes that for them they are managing or are over the rollercoaster of emotions that comes with the song. “Initially, it was not easy to listen to the song,” she explains.
Detailing why they decided to make a comeback, she explains that they felt it was time. “Batswana have supported us for years,” she explains. The album took eight months to complete, with the Gongmaster tribute song giving them a headache. They hope to erect a tombstone for Gongmaster.
Meanwhile, she explains that Dikakapa crew is now aging, with the oldest of them now almost 47 years old. It is on this basis that they are looking to find fresh new talent who will one day take over the reins.
She further says that besides Baitsile, they also have Oduetse Sticks Rakhiba, a man who makes singing dikhwaere fashionable, as well as Maungo Senwelo. The trio are part of their plans to one day hand over the reins to young talent, while they take a backseat.
“Ninety percent of the members are no longer young anymore hence we are grooming and bringing in new faces,” she explains.
Giving a background of where the group comes from, she explains that the group was established in 2006 by mostly members of the Botswana Defence Force. But soon, they realised that they needed a female influence in their music hence they recruited two women, including Esaleone into the group.
The group comprises of seven shareholders. In 2006, they released their first album, Selempu, under the lead of Gongmaster. But Gongmaster would leave the group to pursue his solo career in 2007. In 2010, they released another of their popular album, titled Bomalome. One of the songs in the album titled Mmalobeto secured them a KORA nomination. But things did not go well for the group. While on a trip to South Africa, they were robbed, losing equipment as well as their traditional attires.
She explains that looking at the groups that they were up against, they were certain that they were going to bring home the Traditional Music award. The win would do magic for them, they had hoped.
But that was not the case. They walked home empty handed. That experience, says ‘ Ngo’ shocked them, to a point they had to get counselling. They went on to release Mooka followed by Re buile ( 2015). One thing about them is how even after such a long time without releasing any new music, they still remained relevant, and were still getting bookings, where they performed their timeless classics.