01 Jul 2021

Legendary South African artiste Steve Kekana has died.

Speaking in an interview, one of Botswana Music Promoters Zenzele Hirshfeld said the late Kekana, contributed a lot to Botswana music.

Hirshfeld said she first met Kekana, who had a great following in Botswana, in 2004.

Hirshfeld said Kekana, who died today (July1) had Botswana’s interests at heart.

She noted that whenever Kekana was performing in the country he would only bring a guitar which showed that he was always willing to work with other musicians in the country.

“Mr Kekana was loved by Batswana and his songs were mostly sang in Setswana,” she said.

She said his last performance in the country was in May 2019 at the Legends Live Tour music festival at Ba Isago Convention Centre.

Ms Hirschfeld said the festival was aimed at empowering and mentoring young artist and to raise funds, which were later donated to Botswana Association of the Blind and partially sighted. She said he was performing alongside other South Africa legendary artistes, Kori Moraba, Johnny Mokhali, Steve Kekana, Bapsy Mlangeni as well as Botswana’s Socca Moruakgomo and Amantle Brown.

The music promoter said the deceased was a legend who had become a father to many musicians in Botswana such as the women of Jazz, Ms Punah Gabasiane-Molale and Ms Nnunu Ramogotsi Neil. She said Kekana would be remembered for his charisma and the love for the people of Botswana.

Hirschfield said she last spoke with Kekana sometime this year and had been hoping that he would perform again in Botswana when the pandemic ends.

She said he was scheduled to perform in the country last year but the festival was postponed due to COVID-19.

Kekana was born on 4 August 1958 in Zebediela in the then-Transvaal.

The South African singer-songwriter lost his sight at the age of five and attended a school for the blind in Pietersburg, now Polokwane.

It was during this time that he discovered and nurtured his love of singing and joined amateur musical groups. Ends