Jazz musician Tsepo Mobu Tshola, who died at his home in Lesotho this week at the age of 67, captivated global audiences for five decades, using his international fame to advocate for the end of apartheid in SA.
Born on August 18 1953 in Teyateyaneng, Lesotho, to a musical family, Tshola learnt from an early age the power of song in bringing both healing and change. His father, Mokoteli Edwin, was a preacher and his mother, Phomotso Ma-Limpho, a devout Christian. They were both singers in the musical group Lesotho Vertical 8.
At 17, Tshola became a vocalist for the Lesotho Blue Diamonds and shortly after joined Frank Leepa’s Anti Antiques, one of Lesotho’s hottest bands in the early 1970s.
In 1975, he joined Leepa again to form Uhuru. The group was banned from touring SA by the apartheid government for allegedly promoting political messages, but later defied the ban and performed in the Transkei region.
Harsh conditions in the Transkei saw the group return to Lesotho and take up a residency at the Victoria Hotel in Maseru. Here Tshola met the late Miriam Makeba and world-renowned musician Hugh Masekela. Tshola and Masekela would form a near-unbreakable bond as they toured Botswana, Mozambique, Lesotho, the US and Europe together.
After the tour, Tshola decided to remain in London and convinced the rest of Uhuru to join him. The group, now named Sankomota, toured Europe entertaining audiences and advocating for an end to apartheid in SA.
As news of the unbanning of the ANC and the release of Mandela reached them, the group returned to SA and joined Masekela’s Sekunjalo tour upon his return from exile.
Tshola embarked on a solo career, achieving critical acclaim. He is remembered for hits such as Beaulah Land, Butle Butle, House of the Lord, Indlala, Joala, Kithigithi Lehlapahlapa, Look to Thee, Madambadamba, Nonyana, Ntate, Shine Your Light and more.
Among his timeless hits is Ho Lokile, a tribute song written after his wife, Monis, died. His close friend, veteran songstress Abigail Kubeka, said she first met Tshola at an international music festival in Lesotho and was blown away by his humility and incredible talent.
“He was, like many of my generation, a musical politician. He spoke to and for the people with his music and stood up to the government. He was born in Lesotho but he was passionate about seeing change in South Africa. We had one enemy and we fought it musically.”
He was, like many of my generation, a musical politician. He spoke to and for the people with his music and stood up to the government. He was born in Lesotho but he was passionate about seeing change in South Africa
— Abigail Kubeka
He was remembered by those close to him as a loving family man who avoided the trappings of fame and the limelight, and looked after the children of his late sisters and brothers.
“He had a big heart and a personality to match. He was a raconteur and would regale us with stories about his travels and the people he met. In our home there was always love, song, laughter and stories. He was a poet, and when he was writing or making music he was like a man possessed.
“BT, as we called him, was truly the ‘Village Pope’. He enjoyed the company of friends and family and went about his role as a father, big brother, uncle and friend with distinction,” said his brother, Liteboho. Tshola buried his sister last week and was heartbroken at the loss.
He died just a few days later on Thursday, of Covid-related illness, at his home in Teyateyaneng. He is survived by his two sons, Katleho and Kamohelo, and siblings Liteboho and Mohau.
1953 - 2021
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