18 Jul 2013

A new genre dubbed ‘zouk’ is slowly but surely making its way into the music industry. A mixture of jazz and rhumba, it has the kind of rythm that captures the listener through its fast beat, which makes one begin moving their body.

Onkabetse Chakalisa Mongwa is one upcoming artist who is just cutting his teeth in the music industry and has made zouk his debut album. In an interview, Chakalisa, better known as ‘Chaka’, explained that zouk is a music genre that originates in Central Africa and is a mixture of jazz and rumba.  He said he therefore titled the album Tjenamani (shock) to refer to and condemn the new generation’s worrisome behaviour. The first track of this album, Pesa Bolingo (Give me love), is written in Congolese ‘linga’, and the intent, according to Chaka, was to cater for the international market.

He said the song is inspired by Franco Luambo Makiadi, adding that the song is dedicated to men and women who encounter problems in their relationships for them to know that loving each other more is the only way to resolve their conflicts. Born in Marapong, the singer says his aim is to promote his culture as his other six songs are written in Ikalanga.

Chaka said he became interested in music whilst studying at Mater Spei Senior Secondary School in Francistown where he was in the school band.  “A friend of mine, Rifa, who is in the music industry, helped me a lot as I was always with him wherever he went just to learn how the music industry operates,” he said.  He said Rifa later introduced him to Charity Ntebang who ultimately led him to his producer in 2011, he said, regretting that Batswana do not buy his music saying they cannot buy music that they do not understand.

However, he said he will do whatever it takes to reach Batswana.  He has already performed in Mokaragana and said the response was not so bad from the public after viewing his stage performance adding that he is looking forward to also feature in the famous television programme, Flavor Dome. In order to take his new album to the people, Chaka said he is in continuous contact with local radio stations to conduct interviews and let people know what he has for them in ‘Tjenamani.’

He noted that the lack of money is a great challenge in the music industry because companies are not willing to sponsor artists, adding that it is not easy for a record label to be fully responsible for an artist and own it.  The artist highlighted that he is working on a video production of one of the tracks in his new album but he is not certain when the production will be ready, may be the end of July, he said.

Meanwhile, he has encouraged young people to work hard at school and have good careers even when they want to be musicians because one cannot earn a living from music in Botswana.  He also encouraged the young generation to try to be original in their productions and also come up with their own ideas as original ideas work to attract listenership and fan base rather than imitating others.  Chaka’s album was recorded at The Sweet Melodies Records in Gaborone West and some of the songs in it are Nda nwhana, Sedzela pa ndili and Isabela. ENDS