Mpho Molikeng Music (Band & Solo)

Mpho Molikeng is a Lesotho-born multi-faceted artist, curator, actor, author, musician, poet, painter, storyteller, and cultural activist/entrepreneur. As a musician, Molikeng plays various African instruments, including the Lesiba, Mamokhorong, Setolotolo, Mbira, and Thomo.

Molikeng is also the founder of Mpho Molikeng Music, a contemporary Basotho traditional music band formed in 2009. Initially known as 'Likoefa,' the band's name translates to 'Macho men.' The group's main instruments include the Sekhankula (a bow made from an oil can), Moropa (a Basotho drum crafted from tire tubes and bottle tops), and vocals. Recently, the band has incorporated a classical bass guitar and other indigenous Lesotho instruments, such as the Lesiba, Thomo, and Mokhope.

The band's sound is a unique blend of Famo, Ntlamu, and Afro-jazz. Molikeng is joined by Kabelo 'Sefako' Makolometse, Rethabile 'Koete' Motale, Lebo Ketlele, and Mosoeu Ketlele.

Molikeng's artistic journey began with formal training in Fine Arts at the Bloemfontein College (now Motheo TVET) in 1995 and Drama at the Soyikwa Theatre Institute in 1998. His subsequent career has been marked by numerous achievements, including an Oscillations Residency with the Akademie Der Kunste in Berlin, Germany, in 2023.

Other notable projects include producing and directing the online musical show 'Pina Ea Ts'iloana' in 2021, directing music for the Eastern Cape Ensemble's 'Maxeke meets Uhadi' at the 2021 National Arts Festival virtual opening, and releasing the single 'Likhomo Mats'ela' in 2021. Molikeng has also composed music for Vincent Mantsoe's short film 'CUT' and collaborated with Grammy-nominated artists Ravish Momin and Val Jeanty on their album 'Turning Jewels into Water.'

As a respected authority on Basotho music, Molikeng has authored articles published in musicinafrica.net, Bloomsbury Academic Publishing, and SAGE Publishing. He has also served as a visiting lecturer at Wits University and North-West University in South Africa and co-facilitated the Music In Africa Instrument Building and Repair Workshop in 2016.