SHOWBIZZ IN SHOCK AS SASA KLASS DIES
Humanity will see a rainbow once this dark cloud passes - Grieving BOMU Pres
Adark cloud befell the local music and entertainment industry following devastating news of the passing of arguably the country’s best female rapper, singer and songwriter Sarona ‘Sasa Klaas’ Motlhagodi.
The popular rapper passed on after a helicopter crash on Friday evening. The Mmamongwato hit maker’s sudden death left the nation shocked!
Her passing is still unbelievable to many people, especially her fans and colleagues in the creative industry who have left messages of condolences and described how humble yet feisty and good person she was.
In an interview with Showtime, music producer and BOMU Women’s Wing Chairperson Zenzel Hirschfeld said she had an opportunity of working with Sasa Klaas when she was managing Ban T.
She added that she (Sasa Klaas) made a cameo on BanT’s Naomi music video. “She came, she conquered.
She was an unapologetic young woman who spoke her truth. She was the First Lady of Hip Hop and made her mark in a male dominated industry. She lived her life to the fullest.
l hope young girls got inspired by your bravery, your power, your hustle, your craft and your fight for what you believed in. I will forever celebrate the woman she was,” she said. For his part,
DJ Kuchi said he knew the late musician from way back when she featured on one of her earliest videos from 2011, with RJ Benjamin. He said he recorded her a few times. “She was an amazing person.
She was a pioneer and helped grow the industry to where it is today. It wouldn’t have been like this without her. She inspired so many. She was very humble as well,” he sadly stated.
On his Facebook page La Timmy wrote, “all you did was be yourself in this world and you did it effortlessly. Such a bubbly soul, free spirited and ever smiling.” Leatile Motlhamme also known as Lettie told Showtime that he knew the hip-hop queen from a tender age through his partner, Nature Inger who is one of the famous local models based in South Africa and the deceased’s best friend.
He described her as a go-getter who’d go all out to get what she wanted. He added that she was a “craze person who did not care what other people think” and lived her life to the fullest . He also said she was a sweet person that loved people and was ever smiling.
“We were not that close though we have chilled together a couple of times. The day I will never forget is when we went to perform together at Flava Dome, she was a sweetheart. One time re ko studio bored, she arrived with Veve champagne. She loved good vibes.
I am sad she is gone she represented us well ka ko side ya the rap game and she killed it,” said Girlie Mosweu who is a singer and Mokaragana presenter. Other people who expressed their heartfelt condolences include the Member of Parliament (MP) for Phikwe West Dithapelo Keorapetse who wrote on his Facebook page of how he saw Sasa Klaas growing from a young girl to a talented, fearless rapper and fashionista who inspired young women be what they want without fear.
He explained that even though she was bullied on Facebook she kept her chin up and was ever smiling. Sasa Klaas is the daughter of the Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs Annah Mokgethi.
She was one of the most talented rappers in Botswana who grew and assisted many young and upcoming artists grow locally.
Even though she took a few blows from Facebook bullies, she always found a way to keep them quite in a calm way. She gave haters “dlevu ya mometso” as she always called it with her slap backs.
Sasa Klaas was one phenomenal woman whose fashion sense would raise eyebrows because at times she would wear more body revealing outfits.
Those who adored and understood her called her “Botswana’s Nicky Minaj.” Her love life was not all rosey as some slammed her for “moving on too fast” but she didn’t care and lived her life to the fullest.
l
Friends, family as well as local entertainment community paid tribute to departed Angus Mcneil, who was hailed as one of the pioneers of the local music industry.
Gus, as he was called by many in the music industry died this week allegedly due to COVID-19 related complications. During a memorial service held in his honour on
Friday at Millenium Jazz Café, in Mogoditshane, speakers hailed him for his immense contribution to the music industry in the 90s.
He was described by many as a humble person, who was passionate about music. It is said that Gus helped to launch careers of many artists who went on to become household brands in their own right while working behind the scene as a sound engineer. Botswana Musicians Union (BOMU) president Phemelo ‘Fresh Les’ Lesokwane said the music industry has lost one of the pioneers and industry captains.
“Indeed this are trying times for the music industry as we keep losing the pioneers and industry captains. My hope and belief are that this dark cloud will give us hope that Humanity will see a rainbow once this dark cloud passes,” said Lesokwane.
Lesokwane said Gus has mentored,supported and made a mark in the entertainment industry. “All of us seated here today have one way or the other been touched by this great soul of a man. We thank God to have given us an opportunity to have worked and served with a great soul that is Mr Mcneil,” he added. Meanwhile the founding president of BOMU, Taolo Moshaga also said the nation has lost greatly in Gus.
He said Gus’ passion for music was incomparable. He said as one of the first people who owned Sound System in the local industry, every artist relied on him when they held festivals. “For him, it was never about business or money but growing the industry.
He was very passionate,” said Moshaga. Another speaker, Shima Monageng also described Gus as an honest man who always wanted to please people.
He said Gus always carried a positive energy wherever he went and believed that everything will work out fine one day, as such his life ought to be celebrated and honoured. Amongst the notables at the memorial service were Vee Mampeezy who allegedly donated 10 cases of his Maveeta water, guitarist Clement Jackson and former Member of Parliament for Mogoditshane Sedirwa Kgoroba.