Staff Reporter
The Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation has described the late jazz maestro Tsepo Tshola as a genius who touched the lives of many with his music.
Popularly known as the Village Pope, Tshola, 67, is one of the big names that graced the Mangaung African Cultural Festival (MACUFE) since inception and drew large crowds.
“Ntate Tsepo Tshola will be remembered as a musical genius whose music communicated the lived realities of the society in which we exist,” said MEC Limakatso Mahasa.
“. . . he indeed became a voice for the voiceless and marginalised among our populace hence he vociferously called out social ills through his music and rallied those in the high echelons of power to action,” she said in a statement.
Mahasa said her department attributes the success of MACUFE to artists of Thsola’s calibre as he played a pivotal role in the history of the annual festival spanning over two decades.
“MACUFE is now a global concert and funfair because he was among those who believed in the strength and capabilities of local artists to attract international audiences,” she said.
“He was a musical giant whose music shaped the cultural identity of Africans on the continent and across the diaspora.
“He . . . leaves behind a rich discography that we all treasure as part of his legacy.
“Personally, I had the rare honour of spending time with Ntate Tsepo Tshola from 2003-2005.
“He was indeed a father, leader and musical genius. May his soul rest in peace.”
The Lesotho-born musician was admitted at a Lesotho hospital after contracting COVID-19 and succumbed to the disease on Thursday morning.
He was a former member of popular group Sankomota.