03 Apr 2022

After months and days of shooting arrows in the dark, Lepako as Frank Lesokwane is fondly called in the entertainment industry finally proved his mettle and filled the national stadium to the brim.

The long awaited Soul Fill Up music festival finally happened Saturday headlined by the Gabane born Kwasa kwasa muso, something that should have happened a year ago after countless requests from his diehard fans but was postponed at the eleventh hour owing to tougher than nails COVID-19 restrictions.

Heading to the final and daylong event on Saturday preparations for the historic event had progressed well with mini activation festivals held countrywide.

Whatever Lesokwane, who goes by a plethora of monikers among them Molamu, Tlapa la Ko Gabane, Stango and Ambassadere ya Botswana to name but a few had been dreaming of turned into reality when his legion of fans gathered at the national stadium to savor the fond memories from the captivating songs of his mouthwatering discography.

The music festival had drawn a flood of social media messages of support and praise for the Gabane born musician who has indeed stood the test of time.

Since news broke, social media had been abuzz with fans and well-wishers sharing what they considered to be their best memories with him.

In the history of local music there are not many examples of artistes who had survived two decades in the industry.

Against all odds Franco had managed to maintain a successful career in music. Up to this day Franco is still revered for his neatly arranged lyrics, strikingly clear vocals which are always perfectly in tune and always aimed at hitting some unscrupulous members of the society. Every time he strides on stage, Afro Musica, his musical ensemble turns up the heat and he twists and turns with carefully choreographed moves sending his fans into rows of wild excitement.

This played out on Saturday as he entered the stage in grand entrance like old Scottish army generals.

He appeared on horseback and dished out the crowd’s favourite piece, Tsala Tsame, always referred to as Noka ya Metsimotlhabe by  Kwasakwasa fans.

As they always say the rest was history.

The supporting acts were an icing on the cake. Moments earlier the likes of Phempheretlhe, Mafitlhakgosi had warmed the stage for the self-acclaimed rhumba king. Franco dished out three performances for the night. Coming on stage at sunset, midnight and at dawn.The likes of ATI, Lister Boleseng, Matsieng, Scavenger, Culture Spears and Dr Vom did not disappoint either, churning out their old hits evoking fond memories to the full to capacity stadium.

 The self-acclaimed rhumba king Franco doesn’t come from a musical family but the army barracks became a launching pad for him.

It was the stewardship of the late Malombo Mmereki, the late Tsilo Baitsile and renowned saxophonist Boleseng amongst other members of the popular 80’s BDF Band who molded him. The first artist Frank met on his musical sojourn was a certain recording artist named Nathaniel Mwamboma or Nata Capricorn and that was when his career hit the ground running.

They recorded two great albums Bula Matlho and Dumelang.

After a short stint with Nata Capricorn Franco joined Les Afrika Sounds and scored equal success mostly due to his charismatic stage presence.

Within a short time Franco was on studio with Alfred Mosimanegape of Les Afrika Sounds to record a chart topping album Ipabalelo Tseleng and soon afterwards they also did Tsena Mo Y2K together.

Franco made a massive turn around with his highly coveted album Ke Lela le lona, in 2001 and his efforts were much admired beyond borders.The lowest moment of his career came when members of his band resigned en masse but by then Franco was such a sensation the loss did little damage.

Talented as he was he immediately penned a song called Phutha merwalo.

The Ke Lela Le Lona hitmaker is a singer, dancer, producer and composer who had spent the past 21 years as a band leader and in the process recording countless albums with equal success.

Some of the top chatting albums include among others Robala Nnana, Mmamane robala, Sephiri se dule and Zeng Zeng ke eng.

He has undoubtedly revived the rhumba genre which had sadly faded away. Indeed the Soul Fill up concert ignited the old spark. Part of the event’s yields will assist people living with disabilities. ENDS