04 Nov 2026

For Kedirile Kemaketse, music is more than an artistic expression; it is a vessel for preserving memories, celebrating cultural identity and keeping cherished stories alive.

His debut album, MAY22, released under his artistic identity, Kedirile en eThTribe, is perhaps his most intimate storytelling project yet, paying tribute to his late sister, Onalenna Ngemi Ntsimane, affectionately known as Pontoooo.

The album title draws inspiration from May 22, the birthday Kemaketse and his sister shared.

Following her passing last year, the date took on deeper meaning, inspiring him to turn his grief into a musical dedication.

Kemaketse said his sister played an important role in his early musical journey, helping him type his songs when he first started writing.

“She never lived to experience the journey she started with me. This album is a letter to her, telling her that I have finished what we started together,” he said.

Although dedicated to his sister, MAY22 is not exclusively about loss but also explores life, resilience, identity, spirituality and human experiences.

The 10-track project features Pelo, Ha O Ya Koo, Leperese, Kgomo, Segoloduwane, Mmapula, Motsogapele, Malome, Tsa ga Mmopi and Gamaila. Each song tells a different story, drawing on everyday experiences and traditional expressions.

A multidisciplinary artist, songwriter and storyteller from Kanye, popularly known as the City of Hills, Kemaketse draws inspiration from folklore, nature, cultural heritage and memories of the past.

His artistic identity is also associated with the names Spense, Tribal Saint and PM10, the latter inspired by the endurance of old Eveready batteries, symbolising resilience and perseverance.

He traces his musical foundation to childhood, when his father introduced him to different sounds through an old Aiwa radio and cassette tapes.

“My father baptised me into music long before I understood what music really was,” he recalled, explaining that exposure to traditional music, Mmino wa Dikatara, Dipina le Maboko, shaped his appreciation of storytelling.

Growing up in Kanye also influenced his creative direction, with everyday conversations, proverbs, humour and the experiences of ordinary people becoming important sources of inspiration.

He said his music sought to give forgotten stories another lease of life, allowing younger generations to connect with their cultural roots.

One of the songs, Leperese, explores hardship through traditional imagery and expressions, demonstrating how previous generations used proverbs and storytelling to communicate difficult experiences.

“I have always been drawn to ordinary people and ordinary experiences. These things may appear insignificant, but they carry entire histories,” he said.

Although MAY22 marks his debut album under Kedirile en eThTribe, Kemaketse is not new to the music industry.

He has contributed to works by artists such as Mmaausi Lekoma, Kgokgonono and Ditiro Leero.

In 2022, he also sang baritone with the Presidential Ensemble Choir.

Recorded at Southring Studios with producer Andy Batshogile, the album blends cultural identity with contemporary musical expression.

His musical influences include the late Phillip Tabane, Sello Galane, Tlokwe Sehume and Fatoumata Diawara, whom he admires for maintaining their artistic identities while exploring different musical possibilities.

Kemaketse has performed at platforms including Dithubaruba, Mmakgodumo, MoJazz Live, Organic Live and Debswana’s World Day for Safety at Work.

He is working towards an intimate outdoor musical gathering, Tribal Meeting, planned before the end of the year, where he intends to share songs from MAY22 and other works.

He envisions Kedirile en eThTribe growing beyond music into other forms of artistic expression, providing a platform for cultural preservation and storytelling.

For Kemaketse, the ultimate ambition is to create work that allows people to recognise themselves in familiar melodies and memories.

“Every story deserves to be heard. And sometimes, the story becomes a song,” he said. ENDS