25 Jul 2021

 Speakers at the memorial service of the legendary musician, Lekofi Sejeso described him as an epitome and unifier of the music industry. 

Affectionately known as Kaf-Kaf or Kaffie in the music industry, Sejeso passed on July 17 after a short illness.

During his music career, which spanned over decades, Sejeso had been part of a Gaborone based youthful Incrowds Band. In 1980s, he was part of the music maestros behind the formation of a popular band known as Afro Sunshine, which released an eight track album titled This is Africa, with hit songs such as Mabasket, Tote and Re ba labile. As a result of his great work, Sejeso was engaged by Botswana Football Association to compose and record an album to promote the national football team, The Zebras, comprising of famous songs such as Zebras are winning.

One of the local music veterans, Jazz Maestro, Socca Moruakgomo said the young man that he met in the 70s grew his talent as part of the Gaborone based youthful band named the Incrowds, where he played drums. He said the young man caught the eyes of the founding band members among them Banjo Mosele and Keletso Rakhudu.

Morukagomo said the sensational musician was roped in to replace Nametso Koma, who surrendered to family pressure and quit music to focus on his studies. 

Moruakgomo said the other group members were Joe Bole Ofentse and Moagi Bayo. He said the band members were not only known for their music but also developed a unique language (way of communicating) known as Sekoyoyo.

However, Moruakgomo said in 1979, the group disbanded and some members joined the defence force and ultimately became part of the BDF band. “Myself, Joe Bole Ofentse, Tshilo Baitsile and Malombo Mmereki joined the BDF band,” said Moruakgomo. 

However, Moruakgomo said all was not lost for Sejeso. He said Dennis Alexander, who ran a studio at African Mall and Ricky Molefe supported the formation of another band; Afro Sun Shine. 

He said in 1985, the legendary Hugh Masekela came to Botswana, where he joined among others John Selolwane and they worked with Sejeso for a while under Kalahari band. 

“He then relocated to Lobatse in 1993. At that time, I released a song titled What’s Happening with Selolwane and Lekofi being part of the project,” he says.

Other than music, Moruakgomo also said Sejeso had other skills, as he recently ventured into carpentry. “Since the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the entertainment industry, Sejeso engaged in carpentry to augment his income. I have a bench at my farm that I bought from him. It is the only memory that I have of him. He will never be forgotten. He worked with all of us and left a lot of music. He had a big and good heart,” he said.

A friend, Banjo Mosele said, he had known the deceased since 1974 while still at school. 

“I was at Gaborone Secondary and he was at Lobatse and we met at Bandleng during school holidays. Our love for the music industry forced us to abandon school and followed what we loved most,” said Mosele. 

He was so brilliant, that at time when he joined us after Koma left, it took him less effort to gel in with the rest of the band. 

The three of them who remained Mosele, Ofentse Moagi and Sejeso they approached a rock band in Lobatse, Nosey Road and recorded their first single, I’m longing for nothing, said Mosele. Mosele says sejeso was a multi-talented musician, who played various instruments and stayed strong to keep the entertainment industry alive.

Nnunu Ramogotsi-Neill, one of the female Jazz artistes mentored by Sejeso, described the music maestro as a humorous person. 

“He is my mentor, teacher, inspiration and guide. I started working with him in 2002, until 2011 and we used to perform at O’Hagans at Game City as a residence band and later relocated to Grand Palm. Even though inspirational, Lekofi was also shy to sing. We worked as a team, with a unique style. Your music and my memories with you will leave forever,” said Ramogotsi-Neill.  

Sejeso’s younger brother, Bophelo Sejeso said his older brother was the first born in a family of seven siblings. “He was our guide, gentle, kind, compassionate soul, humorous and always sharing uplifting stories,” said Bophelo.

He said his brother was determined to pursue his career in music and he used to skip classes to go and watch the pianist at Lobatse Hotel. “One day, he broke into the hotel lobby at night and played the piano until the morning. Instead of reporting the incident to the police, the hotel management offered him lessons on how to play the instrument,” said Bophelo.

Bophelo said his brother’s involvement in entertainment was not commercially driven, but rather played the music for love. 

He added that Sejeso’s son,Teto, his name derived from the song Tote, one of his works with the group Afro Sunshine. 

Meanwhile, Teto Mokoke said his father’s legacy was free definition of what a determined individual could do for the country. 

“He was not only a music genius but a great family man. He is worth celebrating,” he said ENDS