20 Mar 2019

Being a member of the choral group can contribute positively to an individual’s music career development.

This can be said about Lizibo and Nnunu Ramogotsi, who for years have performed with KTM choir and managed to solidify themselves beyond the music industry.

The two were part of KTM, a choir, which was formed in 1993 and to date has been able to produce music giants.

Sharing her music journey, Nnunu, who is a celebrated jazz artiste, said humility and patience were traits, which took her career to greater heights.

“KTM contributed not only in my singing career, but it helped me to grow as a responsible woman and also nurtured my talent,” she said proudly noting that she was able to write her own music and do voice training, the basics she learnt at KTM.

She further indicated that with the techniques that she learnt from KTM, she was also able to conduct choirs and had won several competitions around the country.

Also from the choir, she said she had enhanced her public speaking skills adding that she was now able to address a large gathering during workshops.

“My performance has improved a great deal as I have even performed for the President at some point,” she said.

Spotted by the late Gomolemo Motswaledi, affectionately called Sir G, Nnunu said he introduced her to the late Duncan Senyatso, who at the time, needed backup singers. As a top soloist in the KTM choir, Nnunu said it was easy for Sir G to select and paired her with one of her friends in the choir, Goitseone Ramaretlwa, an alto singer.

“However, Ramaretlwa could not continue with the rehearsals and they roped in Nono Siile.

Together with Nono, we sang for 10 years as backup vocalists and that is where our solo careers were born.”

The Mmasonoko hitmaker said she chose jazz genre based on the environment and or the social aspects of life.

She also said the love for jazz was inspired by the fact that she wanted to write and rearrange the dying folk/culture music to be educative to the young generation.  

Nnunu, who has branded herself as Africa’s Jewel, said she was working on her second album to be produced in South Africa later this year.

As for Lizibo, it was no surprise that he became part of KTM choir at some point as he used to accompany his father to the choir practices.

He said he did not choose KTM, rather the choir choose him as he became a member before he could sing in the choir.

The Afro-pop singer, who serenades his fans with love songs, said KTM played a big role in shaping his career.

He was part of the choir from 2002 until around 2013 when he and some other KTM singers formed
The Royal Tenors and eventually went solo.

Born into a musical family of gospel and choral singers, Lizibo said he learnt about versatility of music genres from the choir.

As the youngest at the time,  Lizibo was introduced and nurtured into singing love songs termed Marabi and it was then that his love for Afro-pop was developed.

Lizibo indicated that he was able to learn a lot in regard to music from the choir

“From seminars and workshops conducted, we were taught techniques and placement of vocals and styles of singing.

We were taught what to eat as vocalists and that has helped me a lot in my career,” he said.

The teachings, he said had helped him to learn how to manage his voice and how to  approach songs, especially when he has many bookings.

Although, he is not actively involved  with the choir, he said he was part of the KTM Alumni.

Lizibo and Nnunu hold dear the principle of discipline that they learnt from KTM and they advise the newcomers to be humble and patient.

The duo also advised anyone, who is interested in the music career path, to learn and understand the music language and avoid exploitation.

Meanwhile, Lizibo will be part of KTM performance at the choir’s  silver jubilee concert celebration to be held at Gaborone International Convention Centre on March 23. ENDS