10 Feb 2022

The late Tlhobogang Sebulelo aka Kgosi Maburu  has been described as an  influencer who has touched the lives of Batswana with his unique traditional genre that dominated radio airwaves.

Speakers at Maburu’s memorial service in Gaborone on Wednesday said he was a great traditional musician who made Sekgalagadi stylish through his songs in sekgalagari dialect. 

His fans even enjoyed tunes even though some did not understand Sekgalagadi.  

One of the speakers,  Member of Parliament for Ghanzi South, Motsamai Motsamai described him as a great legend Kgalagadi has ever produced.

“He transformed the shape of the traditional music and created a new opening for expression, his music has the power to influence and we will forever remember him,” he said.

MP Motsamai said Maburu played a pivotal role through his music and  had influenced young artist to follow a career in music.

Maburu’s sister Kekgathetse Sebulelo said they were saddened by his passing because he had a brighter future.

She said his brother battled with brain tumor from September last year until he lost the battle in February this year at Bokamoso Private Hospital.

Fans and friends also potrayed  him as a loving and humble  person. “His music was one of its kind, I fell in love with this kind of music before I knew the singer, I’m saddened by his passing and this is the kind of music to keep for history,” a fan Masego Lobelo said.

Botswana Musicians Union (BOMU) President Fresh Lesokwane said the late Maburu had his own taste of traditional music which made him popular within a short time. His demise, Lesokwane said was a great loss to Botswana’s music industry.

He said he was saddened by the passing of many artistes in Botswana who die young and have nothing to show. Lesokwane said lack of support among artistes was a concern.

The president said despite having talented artistes locally, he was disturbed by the influx of international artistes in local music shows, a trend disadvantaging local musicians.

Lesokwane attributed this move to most depression cases among musicians. 

Kgosi Maburu was born on April 4 1989 in Kalkfontein, Ghanzi. He was known for his hits such as Tshegana ya ga lengangau, Shekgwa sha botate and Maburu.

 Another memorial service will be held in Ghanzi while the 33-year -old star will be laid to rest on Saturday. ENDS