16 Jul 2026

Family, Friends and Batswana from across the country will gather on Friday for a memorial service to celebrate the life and legacy of renowned guitarist Kabo Leburu at Peleng Community Hall in Lobatse.

Leburu, 49, a mechanical engineering graduate from the University of Botswana, chose to follow his passion for music over a conventional engineering career. To his fans, he was simply ‘Kabo Leburu wa Katara,’ the man who could make the guitar sing.

Music ran in the Leburu family. His cousins were also guitar enthusiasts. According to his brother, Kebalepile Leburu said Kabo used to visit cousins in Jwaneng during university semester breaks, just to play guitar because he did not own one himself.  

Moved by Kabo’s love for the instrument, the family bought him a guitar while he was still a student. From that point, he never looked back.  

Kebalepile said he often wondered why Leburu did not pursue engineering professionally. 

“Perhaps because he was so multitalented,” Kebalepile said. He recalled Kthat Leburu once buying a guitar body, modifying it and adding Bluetooth and other features. 

“Talk about when he had a show to perform at, he would fix his guitar all day,” Phillip said.  

Kebalepile  added that his brother worked hard with both local and international artists and was due to perform in India in September.

Neighbours and fellow musicians described Leburu as humble, dedicated and innovative.  

“Kabo was a star, he was a legend in his own right, with his own style of playing,” said Makhwengwe Mengwe, Kabo’s neighbour in Peleng, Lobatse. Mengwe said Leburu grew up loving and humble and would watch older guitarists like Lekofi Sejeso perform. 

“I used to watch you play your guitars and I desired to see myself do the same,” Mengwe quoted Leburu as saying years later.  

Though rooted in folklore music, Mengwe said Leburu developed a unique musical signature. “Kabo was a musician and not a performer, he created and innovated his art. In Kabo the nation has lost a mentor,” he said.

Botswana Musicians Union acting president Papie Rakhudu described Leburu as a recognised guitarist and contemporary folklore artist who often paired his guitar with the harmonica. Rakhudu said the former Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture had assigned Leburu to represent Botswana at international events. 

He also noted Leburu’s commitment to supporting younger artists, including recently discovering Frank Botoka, an under-12 guitarist from Serowe.

German violinist Norbert Volker said he received news of Leburu’s passing with shock. The two first met in 2009 at a live performance at Eros Bar in Tlokweng, where Leburu performed with his group, Ethno Jazz.  

“His guitar had many pickup systems and could produce different sounds,” Volker said.

 He said Leburu had performed in Kenya, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Germany and other countries, and had an open mind toward collaboration. 

Volker cited Leburu's song Mmapaseka as an example of Leburu’s fusion style. 

“That was very typical of Leburu, he got that from interacting and appreciating various artists.”

Musician Dumisani Matiha, who met Leburu at UB through Tomeletso Sereetsi and Joel Konopo, said they would visit his home to watch him sharpen his skills. 

“Leburu’s guitar was one of a kind. You will not see that guitar anywhere in the world. I hope the government and his family would keep it in a safe place,” Matiha said.  

Artist Trinity Mpho, who knew Kabo for about 20 years, said they shared a dream of taking Botswana arts and culture abroad. “He had a passion and love for music but above all, he valued Setswana culture,” Trinity said.

Leburu passed away on July 9. He will be laid to rest on Saturday in Lobatse. Ends