15 Sep 2013

With the right approach, anyone can learn anything.

However, many would agree that playing a guitar, particularly the solo four string guitar, there has to be an element of natural talent. There are artists who have never been to a music school or any professional training to play a guitar but can do wonders on the strings.

One of the most gifted artists locally is the four string guitarist, Molefe Lekgetho aka Western. Born in Ledumadumane, Western started playing the guitar in 1987. Then, he was using Motontonyane, a Setswana home-made tin guitar.

He left primary school just before he could sit his standard seven examinations at Taumanthe Primary School in Mmopane and focused on his talent as a guitarist. In an interview, he explained  that it was not until 1990 when he discovered his full potential when one Oteng Setlhokwa brought him an acoustic guitar which Setlhokwa was given by a man he worked with on the South African mines.

Western was also inspired by veteran four stringers such as Andries Bok and Phika Ditsebe, among others, whom he listened to on Radio Botswana.

Having mastered the different techniques of playing with the strings for many years, in 2005 Western released his debut album dubbed ‘Mhurutshe ke Mminatshwene’ under Eric Ramco. His playing style comprises techniques such as slapping and tapping with both the left and the right hand.

The folklore artist is not only a guitarist, but also an actor notable for playing the character Tinto in the popular Matsieng DVD, ‘Tinto’. Meanwhile, this time around Western and his wife Monica Maphiri together with friend Benjamin Lesele have formed a group and released an album dubbed ‘Utlwang Megolokwane.’

The group proved to have a great deal of talent when it sampled some of the songs with Western doing what he knows best, while Monica led the vocals and Benjamin at the bass vocals. And the singer Benjamin is, what with his roaring voice, he could easily be confused for legendary South African mbaqanga singer, Mahlathini.

The group started working on the album in June this year, and Western says some of the songs in the new album were revamped tunes from his old collection.

Utlwang Megolokwane is an eight track album through which Western says they want to revive the vibe of the folklore music at the same time reviving the Setswana culture. Ends