08 Jul 2015

Folklore music has always been one of the undisputed toasts of Botswana’s cultural identity. Generally the music was used as entertainment during social gatherings such as wedding and also to send out messages or sensitise the community about social issues. 
As modernity crept in, new musical genres emerged, which seems to turn folklore music into history.

However, there are some individuals who are prepared to  do  all they can to preserve folklore music. These are the foot soldiers of folklore music that are ready to carry on the torch despite all the challenges.
One such foot soldier is 51-year-old, Georgina Lobatse of Makobo village in the Tonota Sub-district.  Her instrument is the one-string segaba.

In an interview with BOPA recently, Lobatse revealed that she has been playing segaba as a way to keep folklore music alive. She noted that she grew up under the care of her uncle who often played the instrument and as such she developed the interest in the hobby. She said that even today she plays the instrument and composes her own songs.


“I used an empty five litres metal container, a log and a string to come up with this instrument. Simple as it is, to me it carries a lot of significance because besides being my passion, it takes me down memory lane to my youth,” she said. Lobatse is a family woman, who is married with five children and a host of grand-children.

She said her children give her support and that the last born son is also willing to learn to play segaba. A die-hard fan of folklore music she says she never misses the Dipina le Maboko programme airing on Radio Botswana every Sunday morning because that is where she also draws some inspiration.

She revealed that although others criticised her that playing segaba is ideal for men, she never took the critics serious, rather she vowed to take the music and her talent to another level. Lobatse also commended the President’s Day Arts competitions for helping her sharpen her skills. She said she participated last year at the ward and constituency levels and got position one at all entries with a cash prize of P1 500 and P2 000 respectively.

A hands on, Lobatse does not shy away to express gratitude that the cash prize she won has made a significant change in her life. She said so far she has renovated her house and also bought herself three donkeys that she uses for draught power and other errands.
Besides making music, Lobatse is also a woman who enjoys traditional chores such as decorating her walls and floors with patterns using cow dung and soil, collecting grass for thatching and taking care of her small livestock. 


Those who know Lobatse well say she is electrifying in her performance and always leave her spectators begging for more. ENDS