04 Feb 2014

Kapenda Katuta is a typical man who rose from humble beginnings.

Like any other young boy, he had to endure excruciating canes from his father when he sneaked out of the house in the dusty streets of Lubumbashi, then Zaire to play with improvised guitars made from sardine tins or cooking oil cans when he was expected  to be reading his school books. His God fearing parents were opposed to him playing the guitar and instead preferred him in church.

At a tender age of 14, he was already on stage at the Mampala night club playing a guitar almost double his size with the dexterity of a wizard. He had already gained fame in the neighbourhood and his father soon knew about it. He still spots a deep scar on his left shoulder that he incurred when he was lashed by his father.

This in itself set a young Kapenda into a world where abundance was not part of nature. Being born or emerging from the leeward side of the economic fence, he travelled the length and breadth of his native Zaire until he became an icon in his own right. He followed in the footsteps of other renowned Congolese rhumba legends in the mold of Francois Lua Makiadi, Madilu System, and General Defao amongst others, who also relied on their talents to eke out a living.

Today those who appreciate rhumba or Kwasa-Kwasa as it is also called locally still have Kapenda as an indispensable part of their menu. Due to his exploits with over 38 recording artists in Botswana, Kapenda has etched himself an eternal place in the hearts of local music fans.

As a lead guitarist to a number of top groups in the Kwasa-Kwasa circles, he is recognized as one of the central shaping factors of this type of music which became popular in the late 90’s especially in the low income outskirts of Mogoditshane. Jeff Matheatau, one of the pioneers of the local kwasa-kwasa dance is of course Kapenda’s longest and most renowned association.

In fact, the first person Kapenda met when he arrived in Botswana was Jeff. They recorded the popular 5C’s album, Garas pampiri and Ditshephe. It will be outrageous if the founding father of Kwasa-Kwasa, Alfred Mosimanegape of Alfredo Mos fame is not credited here. Mos was instrumental in identifying Kapenda’s talent the first time he laid his hands on that guitar that day in Francistown.

Some of the songs that moved him up the list of lead guitarists are Odirile ‘Vee’ Sento’s popular kwaito-kwasa hit, Letlhale lea tsamaya. Kapenda was also instrumental in arranging Eskimos’ Mpulele hit amongst others.

He has worked with Wizards of the Desert of the Tla o je phokoje fame and Chris Manto7 of Zwakapressa. The list of artists in the Kwaito-kwasa is endless. We still vividly remember hits such as the late Bull Dog’s Tonki tsele di kae, Taolo Moshaga live performances and Biza Mupulu’s Ba ipotsa ka nna.

Kapenda crossed lines and tried other genres and worked with Afro disco artistes such as Unik Attractions, Dvyne, Lilly, Mr Tagg, Ashley Gops, and Suggie Fisher amongst others. He has also been in studio with some reputable names in the afro jazz scene amongst them, Ndingo Johwa, Punah Gabasiane, the late Malombo Mmereki and and with Lister Boleseng in the popular album, Llife’s a journey.

He also played with Mtukudzi in the circumcision song, a collaboration that also featured Vee. Kapenda has also tried traditional dance with Kgobola, Machesa, Captain Dira, Maxy and Dr Vom.

Now living in Molepolole at Goora Nkane ward, Kapenda is working on producing his own records and continuing his studio work both as a guitarist and as a composer.
Kapenda listens to every type of music.

He speaks French, Lingala, Swahili, Bemba, Nyanja, Lunda, a bit of Spanish and understands Setswana. Quizzed on whether he thinks of calling it quits on stage “ You don’t retire in music because it comes with wisdom and great understanding” he added before trying out a few notes on his Stratocaster fender guitar. ENDS