FROM SEKHANKULA TO FAMOUS FAMO MUSICIAN
By ‘Neheng Ntjabane
James Ramakatsa, aka Lampi of the Famo music group “Lampi le Lehlohonolo” has not done badly for himself.
For a man who was in the first grade (standard one) for four consecutive years before he could pass and was once selling earrings in the streets, Lampi is now a well known Famo musician who drives a Raider four by four and lives in a seven roomed house.
Lampi, who finally passed standard seven after many years, attributes his delay in completing primary school to “Changing,” which is altering school with herding, a practice often practiced by boys who have to look after livestock in Lesotho.
“Some days I would go to school while sometimes I would not go as I would be herding. I sometimes thought of quitting school as for some weeks I would just attend school once. But, the only thing that made me persevere was my mother, who was working in South Africa, as she really wanted me to get an education,” he says.
Ironically, it was during his herding days that his music talent was developed. He would play “Sekhankula,” a Basotho traditional music instrument, while alone in the veld, looking after the animals.
Later on, he was playing in concerts in his village when he met Lebamang Mosia, with whom they formed a gospel music duo. It was however not long until Lampi had convinced Mosia that they should sing Famo, as at that time, Lampi was highly inspired by Apollo Ntabanyane, one of the popular Famo musicians. Five years later, they found a sponsor and produced their first album titled, “Mosia NO 1 – O bapala ka jase”’
“The album did not sell well as I was only given M200 by my partner, Mosia, who told me that we had to pay the sponsor M20 000.”
Apparently, Lampi was not aware that the contract they had signed with the sponsor stipulated that they had to pay M20 000 from proceeds of the album. He was therefore summoned to a local court in Leribe where an agreement was reached on the terms of payment to the sponsor.
With the M200, he decided to start a business of selling earrings, which he did until he met Lehlohonolo Ramarou, who had heard Lampi’s voice from his singing days with Mosia. They then collaborated and produced their first album together called “Lampi le Lehlohonolo NO 1 – Sebouleli.”
After this, Lampi was able to pay his debts and many other albums followed such as “Ke khaola khang” and “Ntate Mosikili re fihlile” which is the latest.
Today, Lampi has a wife and a three year old baby girl whom he adores. He motivates others to be patient and do everything like it is their last chance.
FROM SECURITY GUARD TO MEGA HIT
…….DJ Bootz paves his way up the ladder.
Bafokeng Ramoseeli, commonly known as DJ Bootz rocks the airwaves with his groovy voice on weekdays in one of Lesotho most popular radio station, Peoples’ Choice FM
(PC FM). Limpho Nkoane got close and personal with this master of the radio airwaves to find the true character behind this interesting Individual.
DJ Bootz (24) first started working at PC FM as a volunteer security guard “It was a struggle to get a job at PC FM, I volunteered to work as a security guard until one night DJ Thabie was running late and the studio manager told me to cover for him, and play songs only until he arrived. Since I am bit ambitious I went on air and started talking nonstop, they wanted to stop me but for some reason they stopped and listened, Thabie arrived but it was too late as at that time the callers couldn’t get enough of me’’
A few months passed but there was nothing for Bafokeng, he continued as a volunteer security guard. After some time, he would be asked to fill in for other people whenever they were late for their slots. One day he did a 12:00 midnight to 3:00 A.M. show, and in the morning people were calling in and asking for the show to be broadcast regularly, but earlier than 12:00 midnight.
“I guess that’s how I got my big break,” he says. From then on Bootz is usually on air presenting various shows throughout the week. “My shows are for all age groups as my music cuts across all ages.I play all types of music from 80’s to Jordan Sparks. I love PC, I love my job and my fans and the atmosphere is just too overwhelming, I grew up loving radio and I was always saying to my mom, you will be listening to me live on radio.’’ Bootz says his first day at work was not scary at all as he was doing what he loved most, which is talking.
He gets a lot of support from his family, especially his mother whom he regards as a pillar of strength. “I worked hard to get to where I am today and I am thankful to the “man upstairs” as he made it possible for me to live my dream. That is why I don’t consider negative comments that much as there are people out there ready to destroy and kill other people’s dreams,” he adds.
DJ Bootz feels radio has changed him in many ways as it opened his eyes. He has also learnt to appreciate people more. At some point he felt he was not ready for the changes being a radio announcer has brought to her life but “any way I love the attention, I surround myself with positive people, and I just take criticism positively as I believe it is another way of improving my work.”
When he was criticised on Topix website, he took it positively and he did not let it pull him down, he focused on what was important and presented his show to his best ability hence he has stayed on top of his game. “Radio is my passion and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else,” he further adds.
At the moment there is no special lady in his life as he is still waiting for the right person. “Ladies are unpredictable. I always make sure that I don’t get caught up in love triangles and involved with people who are interested in names only.”
So for now Bootz has got his future ahead of him and he is planning to go to school and get proper training to do what he does best, radio presenting.
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She Sells Dagga to Improve her Daughter’s Future
Lebohang Lerata
Matseliso Khoabane is a veteran resident of the slums of Thibella who testifies of having done all that it took to secure a better future for ‘Mathebe her 14 years old daughter. She sells dagga to afford a decent meal for her and ‘Mathebe. For this, she has been in prison and has occasionally.
“I know it is embarrassing but I have never for one second felt humiliated by my arrests because I knew it was wrong and against the law to be selling dagga but there is nothing I can do to provide for my daughter,” she says.
She spends most of the time in her two-roomed house which she built with her earnings from selling marijuana. “I sell it because it’s cheap and accessible for me,” she claims.
Although this is an illegal drug to distribute within society. Mat’seliso still manages to have it transported from the urban outskirts of Maseru to Thibella. She also runs a “spaza” shop in her yard.
Mathebe has been serving their customers since she was nine hence she has become a natural in customer service. She and her mother seem a lot fond of each other and one can tell that by the way in which they speak to one another. “I really love and respect my mom for all that she has done for me”, she says.
Although Mat’seliso is currently making a living out of selling weed, she hates drunkenness, as she says. “I have never smoked dagga and I will never advice anyone to, because I have seen what it does to its addicts”.
Is she therefore prepared to give up selling it? “Anytime”, she says if ever any suitable or affordable job for business opportunity be presented to her.
On what she thought would be the solution to her and the entire Thibella residents, she says, “I have always believed on education and knowledge although I was derailed from that because of my ignorance which led to so many blunders throughout my life”.
She believes that knowledge is a cure to every problem. Her heart’s desire is to see Thibella redeemed from poverty and ignorance and developing as other neighbouring villages in Maseru. She also endeavors to see ‘Mathebe finishing high school and advancing to the National University of Lesotho.
Considering her determination she seems likely to see this happening.
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PC FM’S OWN HIP HOP STAR – THE RATED R
By Sello Nketu
He can easily be mistaken for an American Hip Hop star. But the only close contact he ever gets with American Hip Hop stars is when he presents their music and videos during the Urban Jams programme on Lesotho Television every Saturday.
Relebohile Mafatle thrives on music. He is knowledgeable on music and he is gifted on the selection of music. No wonder he was selected to present Urban Jams on Lesotho Television even though he is not an employee of the Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology.
It is hard to believe Relebohile, whose permanent employment is as Presenter and Librarian for People’s Choice (PC) FM radio station was once scarred to be on radio. The “Rated R” as he is nicknamed says he was scarred when he thought that people out there, some with even more experience on radio than him, were listening to him, and he had to retain their attention.
Was he ever embarrassed on air? He smiles as he relates how one time he pronounced constitution as constutution. He says even though some listeners privately corrected him on the telephone, his programme was never to be the same that day as he was greatly embarrassed.
On PC FM the Rated R presents his popular programme called GAP during weekdays from 12 0’clock to 03 00 PM.
This 28 year old joined the media industry at the age of 19 after completion of COSC. Because of his voice he started by doing voice-overs for advertisements on Radio Lesotho then joined Joy FM as a presenter and ultimately PC FM in 2006. “I have reached my destination at PC FM as it is one of the best stations in the country,” he says.
He however still wants to further his studies in media to enhance his knowledge. “PC FM is the radio station that is going places and I need to be in the crew that will take it to greater heights,” he adds.
The father of two children is married to Refiloe Mafatle who is also in radio at Joy FM. He considers his wife as his best friend and source of inspiration. “My wife is everything to me, whenever I am in trouble she is always there to support me and when I am happy she is there to share happiness with me. Since we are both in media we also give each other tips,” he says.
It is no wonder, he is doing so well.
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Lesotho Pioneer 