03 Nov 2022

It still remains enigmatic to explain what has kept them together for a little over two decades in the music industry. 

All they know is they grew together, went to school together and did everything under the sun together.

The four young men from the dusty streets of Gaborone West came together even before the name Eskimos appeared to them.

The respect and understanding between them has kept them as tight as a full set of teeth. 

Each one of them is important to the contribution of Eskimos as a group, the group cannot exist without any single member, and simply put they are four elements.

The near legendary Kwaito music outfit is made up of the quartet of Keitshupile ‘Mandla’ Mokwena, Kagiso ‘Skhejo’ Ketswantwa, Kabo ‘Zynne’ Mmolawa and Goitsemodimo ‘Javas’ Binang.

Their success story throughout these turbulent years will be told through a performance of a lifetime at the Molapo Showcase on Saturday.

One of the group members, Mokwena said the celebratory concert dubbed 23 years Anniversary  would unpack Eskimos’ musical journey .

It had been a good 23 years together and the group has undoubtedly inspired a mindset change that young boys from low income areas like G-wawa, as Gaborone West is fondly known could ring hope and belief that against all odds, a positive dream is achievable.

And through all the tumultuous years Eskimos has kept their fans dancing.

The quartet joined forces in 1999 with the release of their debut hit album Back 2 Kasi. The passion and love of music was part of the ingredients that inspired them to try a studio album.

Having met at Bophirima Primary School in the late 90s Mokwena said they would now reflect with those who walked with them through the journey.

“Javas and Skhejo were in the same class while I and Zynne were in the same standard but different classes and a couple of classes ahead of the two. KG and Zynne lived in the same neighbourhood while I stayed with Javas in the same street. We played soccer together but the focus shifted to music and as they say, they rest is history,” added Mokwena.

Mokwena said they got so much influence from South African Kwaito outfits such as Alaska and Trompies. 

The music genre got its roots from South Africa where it was played as a reflection of what was going on in the townships streets.

The quartet conjured up a name Eskimos, after Skhejo picked the name from a geography class in school. 

The launching pad of the group was when they met Kwaito Kwasa sensation Odirile Vee Mampeezy Sento in 2000 when he performed at a show at the national stadium.

Vee frequented Gaborone West after the show and Eskimos listened to some of his music and they were impressed by his talent. 

He recruited the group to be part of  his dancing crew in his early 2002 release that featured the hit song Pompa Tswidi. Eskimos worked with Vee until he released another chart topping album Lamalanga.

“He encouraged us to put together an album and a year later we checked in at Robert Dargie’s studio to record our debut studio album which had the likes of sing-along songs such as Giwawa, Tumdara and Donti Ka Lona among others,” said Mokwena.

A year later Eskimos came up with Faratlhatlha which featured among other hit songs Mpulele, Mmaskente.

The album  featured among others finest lead guitarist Kapenda Katuta. 

The group released Makimo in 2006 which had songs like Ke go senka o seyo and produced a sequel to the album in 2007 Still Makimo which featured  traditional dance outfit Matsieng, Kgobola and Stampore.

The next two years saw Eskimos on a downward spiral as the economic crunch took a toll.

They nonetheless went back to the studio and came up with O mpimpile which was followed by a documentary two years later reflecting on the journey of the group throughout the years.

Eskimos hit a hiatus between 2010 and 2014 and only resurfaced in 2015 with a 14-track-studio album dubbed Glory which featured Juju Boy, MMP Family and Slizer.

Just after releasing Glory which included the hit song Cecilia, Eskimos returned to the studio releasing a number of impressive singles such as Kwalata Tsa Katara, Malome, Monate and Mabota.

Mokwena said they were currently working on a studio album which was likely to feature reputable artistes who had stayed by their side throughout the years.

With an impressive discography to their name it is always hard to pick one album that made an impact in the local music scene.

 On Saturday Eskimos will take their diehard fans down memory lane when they once again bring the roof down at the Molapo Showcase.

Supporting acts lined up for the night include Vee, ATI, Han C, Ozzy F Teddy, MMP Family, Scar, Exodus, Matsieng and Mingo among others.  Ends