14 Sep 2023

In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, one gospel music artist is on a mission to uplift spirits and restore hope.

Meet Tebogo Oduetse, popularly known as Dr Papatia, a passionate musician whose soul-stirring melodies have touched the hearts of many ever since he ventured into music in 2007 when he released his first album.

At the age of 40, Dr Papatia found his calling in music after years of serving as a chorister at Eloi Church.

He has released 11 albums, with his most popular song being Hamba Corona, which was released in 2020.

“The spiritual experiences and deep connection I felt while singing in church inspired me to venture into the world of gospel music and since then I have dedicated my life to creating music that caters to the entire Christian community and addresses social ills with words of encouragement,” he said.

With his powerful voice and heartfelt lyrics, Dr Papatia has become a beacon of hope for those facing different challenges, as his music resonates with people from all walks of life, providing solace and inspiration in times of darkness.

He has been working on three new songs – Khona Manje, Motshwaramarapo and Botshelo ka Letlotlo – that he plans to release during the independence holidays.  

“The first song talks about how people are facing marital problems, teenage pregnancies and gender based violence and how Jesus is coming very soon to put an end to it all, while the second one acknowledges Jesus as the commander of the whole world and that he controls everything and the third song speaks to unemployment, how we are gifted to do different things to earn a living,” Dr Papatia explained.

His ability to connect with the crowd through his music and stage presence have garnered him recognition and acclaim even on international stage as he has performed in neighbouring countries such as Namibia and South Africa.

In light of the trying times the world is facing, Dr Papatia aspires to reach even more people with his music, particularly those struggling with mental health issues and recognising the prominence and persistence of such problems, he aims to provide a sense of comfort and reassurance through his lyrics and melodies.

“Through this music I aim to address social ills and encourage listeners to hold onto their faith and find strength in challenging circumstances as well as motivate them to follow Jesus Christ,” he said. ENDS