Tsepo Tshola dancing and singing during the memorial service of the late Hugh Masekela at the University of Johannesburg, Soweto Campus on January 28, 2018. Picture: Gallo Images/Frennie Shivambu
Legendary Lesotho musician Tsepo Tshola has passed away.
According to reports, he passed away after a recent battle with Covid-19 landed him in hospital.
Tshola was an award-winning jazz musician whose debut album ‘A New Dawn’ received critical acclaim.
In the 70s, Tshola was part of a musical group called Sankomota.
The band (originally named Uhuru) was from the ‘mountain kingdom’ of Lesotho and was formed around 1976. It consisted of members such as Frank Leepa, Moss Nkofo, Black Jesus, Moruti Selate and Pitso Sera, among others.
At some point, the group was even banned in South Africa.
In the late 80s, they relocated to London after Tshola joined Hugh Masekela on a world tour. Tshola and Masekela then became friends.
The ‘Ho Lokile‘ hitmaker was last known to be living in the Johannesburg suburb of Kensington where he lived in a Victorian-style home that doubled as the HQ for hisKiller Joe Records.
Drum reports that artists such as Joe Nina and Stan Letsela were part of the label.
This is a developing story. We will update it as more information becomes available.