24 Jul 2024

Organisers and patrons of the popular cultural show Son of the Soil (SOTS) are mourning the death of David ‘Divas Keps’ Kepaletswe.

Kepaletswe, a passionate culture activist, died on Saturday after a short illness. 

His sister, Kamogelo Chiusiwa confirmed his passing in an interview. She said her brother would be buried in Gaborone on Saturday at Phomolong, and that a memorial service would be held on Friday. 

“Although we were born and bred in Selebi Phikwe, the family agreed to have his send off in Gaborone because this is where he stayed and has made friends and family. 

Therefore, we wish they could also give their friend and associate a deserving send-off,” Chiusiwa said.

At the time of his passing, Divas, as he was affectionately known to his circle of friends, was the chairperson of Bana ba Mmala Trust, the organising committee of Son of the Soil . 

“He was a very enthusiastic individual with great ambition for the Son of the Soil brand. 

He was also keen on the promotion of culture and the heritage of Botswana, which is how Son of the Soil came to fruition,” said Bana ba Mmala Trust spokesperson, Tebogo Zebe.

Divas leaves when plans to celebrate SOTS’s 20th anniversary are underway, and was an important component of planning the celebrations. Zebe said his presence would be missed, describing him as the ‘chief taster.’ He earned the nickname through the role he played of tasting traditional brews with charisma and pride. 

Traditional brew is a popular highlight of Son of the Soil events, and “Divas would say, ‘Bo tlhotlhilweee,’ after tasting the brew and giving way to patrons to also indulge,” noted Zebe.

Sydney ‘Boogie Sid’ Nzala, who took over producing SOTS in 2022, described Divas as forward thinking, full of humility and compassion. 

Nzala said Divas was passionate about culture and that it was something he learned from him since meeting him in 2017 while working with him on SOTS production. 

Kepaletswe founded Bana ba Mmala Trust in 2005 alongside other culture enthusiasts such as Kabelo Semele, Puso Pusoetsile, Tiro Sethate, Gase Thekiso and Felix Monngae. Ends