21 Jan 2024

Botswana artistes have over the years infused culture into their work by composing songs in their native languages.

Young creatives, among them Khoi San, Han C, Mpho Sebina, Lizibo continue to set the tone of an unapologetic and optimistic Botswana, ready for the global scene.

Recently one of the social media influencers, Thabo Hydrates posted on his Facebook page that time was now that Botswana’s new creative talent was showcased.

“I am tired of seeing the same old December BW line-ups…same old faces…lokelang bana ba bangwe so they can rise up and share with us what they have if you are within reach…” he wrote. 

“I mean we have that in our country...o batla go nthaa o re we do not have another A.T.I nyana somewhere hidden…a Mpho Sebina nyana waiting to be discovered…a Dj Bunny nyana ko dikgaolong a batla go tlisiwa tropong go pegwa di deck..a Hey Nyena nyana goo gongwe…… a re ba feng chance…’

Kesego Lysson, a 25-year-old University of Botswana Bachelor of Social Sciences graduate is perhaps another young creative waiting to be discovered.
Lysson recently released a single Tshweu Thwaa, which is her second single since her debut into the music scene.

Tshweu Thwaa, an RnB love song inspired by a love story of being free in love, was composed by Lysson, produced and recorded by SIMZ Records.

Growing up in a gospel family set up, did not limit her but she explored other musical genres.

“My mom who is my inspiration, is a gospel artist and my music interest started after her release of her first album when I was doing my standard seven,”Lysson explained.

She said the transition to RnB came after a chat with her mother, who encouraged her to spread her wings and try out other genres and not be boxed and obligated to follow her steps to sing gospel.

After completing her tertiary studies in 2021, Lysson released  a single in 2023, followed by this latest project Tshweu Thwaa in 2024.

“My parents have always been supportive of my musical interest, but they were clear of me completing and attaining my academic qualification first,” she said.

Lysson, who is  currently working at Ngakayagae Attorneys and Company, said releasing two singles in Setswana and English was more of an experiment to test the response of the public.

“Batswana ba rata Setswana, the response have been good and mostly on the Setswana track,” she said.

Having drawn inspiration from Mpho Sebina on her Tshweu Thwaa, Lysson said Sebina’s music was an inspiration to not only her but most young creatives.

“Her music is rich in Setswana, and not a lot of us are fluent in Setswana like she is, so seeing a figure like her singing comfortably in Setswana and sometimes incorporating English, makes us want to try harder and promote our Setswana culture through song,” said Lysson.

Planning to release her five track Extended Play before the end of this year, Lysson said she also hoped to release a full album with some collaborations.

“By God’s grace I would like to work with Khoi San and Han C. They inspired me a lot and also because we are in the same age range,” she said.

Elaborating on her aspiration  to work with Sebina, Kesego said she still had a long way for Sebina collaboration.

“I will eventually arrive at that point,” Lysson said.

The single Tshweu Thwaa promises to blow away many.

Perhaps this is the talent Thabo Hydrates is advocating for, the gem that needs to be discovered and shown to the world. ENDS