01 Apr 2014

The stage is set, an orchestra band sits prepared to render melodious sets through percussions, strings, brasses, saxophones, keyboards and harps.

People are trickling in at the Maitisong Auditorium in anticipation of a great Easter Musical Celebration night. The band on stage is none other than the Hope Passion Chorus. Dressed in black and white, and made up of more than 50 members and forms an integral part of the Easter Musical celebrations.

The chorus, which is directed by Seabe Raditladi is solely assembled for the Easter musical celebrations and is a chorus made up of independent soloists together with Moeding Alumni artists. With interjections by other music artists they take turns to come to the podium to serenade the audience.

Men and women of the cloth, also take turns to present the words and tell the story of the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

They tell the congregation that through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, there is hope for all. The artists are backed by a band that constitutes of keyboard player, Bonie Keabile, Clifford Boago Kwelagobe on the drums and Kenneth Botlhale on the lead guitar.

Jazz guru, Lister Boleseng leads the chorus on a saxophone and has Michael Mokgatitswane on the bass guitar. Pastor Dumi Mmualefhe opened the floor for the chorus as he rendered a sweet melody. 

The chorus left the audience asking for more as they dished out songs such as Morena re hauhele, Modimo wa boikanyo and Wena ke a go bata.

The first session comes as a remembrance of Good Friday, when Jesus hanged on the cross and artists also take part to sing songs that reflect the burden that Jesus Christ carried on the cross to redeem the sins of the world.

They sang songs such as My Help, by Lame  Keaketswe while Lyon Konkonyane rendered the song Ntate ke mang with so much passion that the congregation almost shed tears.

After the remembrance of Jesus on the cross of Calvary, the event took yet another twist as it celebrated the Lord’s resurrection and songs such as E mpa joale by Malebogo Kagiso while Motsie Tiego soothed a lot of souls with the hymn ‘It is well with my soul’.

Motlaleng Motlaleng also took the audience to yet another level when he rendered the song Mookamedi yo a reng and Lyon ended the show with the Hope Easter Chorus and sang Bokang Modimo.

The show was organized by Tsholofelo Foundation and Botswana Television, and is an annual event, which is held a few weeks before Easter to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The show was held to raise funds the proceeds of which will be channeled towards the Tsholofelo Foundation Orchestra Project.

The project is geared towards assisting the youth from disadvantaged communities and providing them with tuition for orchestral music and to also develop their self confidence, self discipline and leadership skills. Ends