Lesotho musician Tsepo Tshola dies of COVID-19

The musicians’ death was announced on local radio stations and social media, where music organisations and colleagues expressed condolences.

“Our deepest condolences to the Tshola family, friends and industry colleagues,” the Southern African Music Performance Rights Association wrote. “Thank you for the music, your work will forever live on #RIPTshepoTshola.”

Trompies member Eugene Mthethwa wrote: “Thank you for your role in freeing us from the bondage of apartheid and daring to leave your country to spread the message across the world with Sankomota. Today you have been reunited with your fellow band members who have since departed from this world. I can hear that laughter as you meet to give them your welcoming handshake. Thank you for believing in my struggle when I am far younger than you but never looked down on me.”

“Sad to hear the passing of the legendary Ntate Tsepo Tshola,“ Tresor said. “An iconic African singer, songwriter, musician and teacher. It was a great privilege to be in his presence making music and soaking in his wisdom. Thank you for the music and your great human spirit. Rest in power.”

Joy of Jazz festival organiser and T-Musicman CEO Peter Tladi told local media: “Tsepo was also a poet of note. I met him in the 1980s while the group Sankomota was still struggling, before they went to England. He was a talented and disciplined artist. He respected his craft and never gave me any problems when I worked with him.”

Famously known as the ‘Village Pope’, Tshola was born in a musical family in Lesotho. Both his parents were part of a music group called Lesotho Vertical 8. He gained fame with the Sankomota band. He was also a member other bands including The Lesotho Blue Diamonds and The Anti-Antics.

Tshola worked with artists like the late Nana Coyote (Lesotho) and Hugh Masekela (South Africa) as well as local drummer Julian Bahula. He toured with Sankomota in the UK and Germany. The band is known for its lyrical mixture of Zulu, Pedi and Sotho, and sought to bring national pride among a culturally diverse South Africa. Tshola’s well-known songs include ‘Stop the War’, ‘Bonang Sefapanong’, ‘Kingdom King’, ‘Beaulah Land’ and ‘Papa’.

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