Kekana to be buried on Thursday
JOHANNESBURG - The late legendary musician Steve Kekana will be laid to rest in his hometown in Zebediela near Polokwane, South Africa on Thursday.
Kekana passed away last Thursday at the age of 63 due to Covid-19 related complications.
Veteran Namibian musician Sledge Kanime said while at the forefront of their careers, they used to team up with Kekana, the late Brenda Fassie, Stimela and others in South Africa.
“Kekana was a friendly and quiet person with a gentle beautiful voice. We used to dance to his music a lot. He was one of the top when it comes to mbaqanga music, soul, R&B, gospel. He touched on many genres,” he said.
Kanime, who was the lead singer of legendary Ugly Creatures Band, said Kekana made beautiful music, but the song that stands out for him is “Music was born in Africa”.
“He made amazing songs. The last time I saw Kekana was in 2010 at the Cape Town Jazz Festival.”
The legendary Sesotho balladeer was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at SAMA24 in 2018 for his remarkable career.
For years, Kekana’s falsetto wafted and glided beautifully over his melodic compositions and gave generations soundtracks of their youth.
His name became synonymous with Afro-pop/soul thanks to tracks like ‘Abuti Thabiso’ about a wayward breadwinner who abandoned his family and ‘Kodua Ea Maseru’, a touching tribute to the citizens of Lesotho following the killing of several Basotho at a concert.
His most famous song, the groovy and infectious break-up hit, ‘Take Your Love’ with the late Nana Coyote Motijoane, cemented his place in the music pecking order and remains a South African classic.
His collaborations, particularly ‘Feel So Strong’ with PJ Powers and the wedding anthem ‘Sebabatso’ with Nana Coyote enriched the South African songbook.
His influences ranged from pop and R&B to mbaqanga, jazz and gospel.
He has released over 40 albums in 40 years, and was decorated with more than 70 gold disc awards.
Kekana was born in Zebediela, Limpopo on 4 August 1958. He lost his eyesight as a young boy and went to a school for the visually impaired in Polokwane.
He belonged to music bands by the time he was a teenager.
Kekana conquered his visual disability, and inspired many when he completed his law studies and was admitted as an advocate.
He also taught labour law at UNISA between 2011 and 2013. He is a recipient of an honorary doctorate from UNISA.