13 Jul 2026

For many artists, music begins as a hobby. For Thabo Bimbo, also known as Tizo, it became a calling that has evolved into a career spanning nearly two decades.

It has earned him recognition as one of Botswana’s dedicated performers and he has used his talent to uplift communities and mentor young people.

Born in Draaihoek, he attributes his musical identity to the rich cultural heritage of his upbringing. Surrounded by traditional music and cultural expression from an early age, Bimbo developed a deep appreciation for music that would later shape his artistic journey. 

His passion continued to grow throughout his childhood until, after completing Form Five in 2005, he made the life-changing decision to pursue music professionally.

His breakthrough came after being introduced to the professional music industry by mentor Evans Modubule, known in the music industry as Mr Tagg, who recognised his potential and encouraged him to develop his talent. Just a year later, Bimbo released his debut kwaito album, Lekgwatlha, in 2006.

The album introduced audiences to his distinctive sound, blending contemporary kwaito rhythms with influences drawn from Botswana’s cultural heritage.

Determined to sharpen both his artistic and entrepreneurial abilities, Bimbo pursued a Diploma in Music Design at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, graduating in 2019. 

His career continued to gain momentum in 2008 when he joined, So Hype Records, under the management and production of Massie Hule, a move that opened new opportunities for collaboration and artistic growth. 

Two years later he released his second album, It’s On, featuring collaborations with well-known artists including T.H.A.B.O, Punah and Shanti Lo, demonstrating his versatility and continued evolution as a musician.

Bimbo’s energetic stage presence has seen him entertain audiences at events such as the Tsabong Orange Togetherness celebrations, the Maitisong Festival, the Khawa Dune Challenge and Cultural Festival, the Tsabong Annual Agricultural Show. 

Despite his success, Bimbo admits that his musical journey has not always been easy.

“My passion for music is what keeps me going. I nearly gave up almost two years, but after losing a close friend, I released a dedication song titled: Tsala Yame. That song helped me heal and reminded me why I started making music. Since then, I came back fully into music,” he said.

The emotional experience became a turning point in his career, strengthening his determination to continue using music as a platform to tell stories that resonate with people.

While music is his passion, community service has become equally important to him. He has performed for children at SOS Children’s Village in Tlokweng, supported fundraising initiatives for underprivileged children, organised entertainment concerts for boarding school students and delivered motivational talks to young people in Kgalagadi. 

His commitment to nurturing emerging talent has also seen him facilitate music workshops at Tsabong Unified Secondary School and serve as a judge during school competitions, where he shares his experience with aspiring performers.

Bimbo says his greatest dream is to create opportunities that were not readily available when he started his career.

“I hope to establish a fully facilitated recording studio in Tsabong to help harness and nurture talent in Kgalagadi South,” he said.

He believes such a facility would allow young musicians to develop their skills locally while reducing the need to travel long distances in search of recording services and professional guidance.

Bimbo is preparing to release a new single soon, produced by DJ Skizo Bw.

He said the project challenged him to step outside his comfort zone by blending house, amapiano, afro-pop and traditional music into one production.

For him, embracing different genres reflects his willingness to grow as an artist. ENDS