5 days ago
Thebe Lenyora celebrates 30 years of Kwaito with The Legend Tour: ‘It's a celebration of how far we've come'
Music has been his bread and butter since his early twenties.
He gave us hits like Bula boot, Ungawa Kum, Groovers prayer, among many others.
Now that the kwaito legend's career turns 30 years, he catches up with Drum on his journey and nationwide tour.
If he were to write a love letter to Kwaito, this is how it would read.
'Kwaito, my love, my life. Thank you for giving me a life with purpose and allowing me to live my dreams, and most importantly, for helping me raise and maintain a family. If I had to choose a genre, I'd still choose you even today.'
It all began at 16 years old when he was committed to mastering Michael Jackson's dance moves and breakdancing at school events.
Within no time, he had risen to fame as a resident DJ. Together with a friend of his, they also managed the school's music room.
This path steered him to a career that was going to unfold illustriously for 30 years.
Now, kwaito legend, Thebe 'Lenyora' Mogane, tells Drum how his breakthrough came about.
'I shared a flat with Bruce Sebitlo in Mafikeng whilst I was doing my internship at Bop Recording Studios. He would make beats, and I would add club chants and play them at Bonanza Bar, Mmabatho Sun, where I was DJing. One day, I was DJing with Oskido, and he heard the songs and saw the response and decided we must release this. That was my first album, Tempy Life, as is from the demo.'
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From then on, Oskido became his biggest cheerleader.
'Oskido, he is a great spotter of talent and a great mentor, still is. He believed in me, and I vowed to make him proud.'
After the release of his hit song, Ungawa Kum, Thebe got to travel the country with the song he claims has transcended the cultural, racial, and musical genre lines.
Slowly but surely, the doors to his dreams opened.
'At the time of my debut, kwaito was in its infancy; it wasn't even called that, it was just local music. I wanted to see local music grow because, as a DJ, we were playing mostly overseas tracks. I figured we can do this as well and give it our flavour because people always had their vernacular lyrics to the house songs. My dreams came true and then some,' the legend shares.
Reflecting on how far the local music industry has come, he raves about the waves Amapiano has made, especially internationally.
'I'm highly impressed with the state of music in the country. From the way the artists own the businesses and intellectual property to the way they have managed to export the music. Everywhere you go in South Africa, they play 100% local tracks across all genres. The only issue I have is individuality and creativity. Everyone tries to follow the trending sound and style instead of coming up with their signature sound and style.'
Drawing from his 30 years' experience of being in the industry, he asserts that nothing is as important as consistency, passion and respect for the craft and most importantly, fans or supporters.
Looking at how younger artists don't value supporters as much, he adds that those are the ultimate bosses of the game.
'Never take them for granted, they are your bread and butter, your bosses essentially. Collaboration and being open to new ideas and working with young artists helps with aligning with the shifting trends and staying relevant without compromising your style,' says the 52-year-old musician.
To celebrate 30 years of his journey and Kwaito as a genre still loved by many, Thebe will be embarking on a tour across the country from September to December 2025, where he says he'll be honouring the genre that has made him who he is today.
'It's a great honour and pride to reach this milestone because everyone always said music is a short-lived career, but I was lucky to work with people who have lived off music all their lives. Oskido, Don Laka, Bruce Dope, Spikiri, and Mahoota have been doing it for 40+ years, Tshepo Tshola and Bra Hugh have done it for 60+ years, so I'm highly inspired.'
'The Legend Tour is a celebration of how far Kwaito has come. I will also be celebrating the milestone by taking people on a nostalgic musical journey. We will be touring all the provinces starting in Mpumalanga in September, going to Limpopo, Northwest etc. The penultimate event will be held at Carnival City on the 16th December,' he concludes.
