Local former Idols singer going digital during lockdown
"The truth is that music is food for the soul, it shows how people feel and how they want to feel."
A young singer from Soshanguve learnt some valuable lessons from the talent competition show Idols.
Refentse Mabaso (27) recently entered Idols, only after accompanying his friend Nolo. He decided there and then to also audition.
“Idols taught me there are many people who are doing what we do, but that they can never do it like you do. They can be good, but they cannot be you,” he said.
“It showed me the importance of valuing what I have, working on getting better, doing everything on time, and also understanding that I am competing more with myself.”
Mabaso said when people are happy, sad or celebrating something, they listen to music.
“The truth is that music is food for the soul, it shows how people feel and how they want to feel,” he said.
Mabaso is currently working on his own music, writing, composing, arranging and also selling winter hats and scarves that are branded with his name.
Like most township dwellers, his journey is not always rosy.
“My brother is also a musician, so people thought I was copying him. I also experience exploitation at times and lack of funds to create awareness for my brand,” he said.
“It was also a challenge having to choose between being the best-selling artist and being talented, or both.”
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He said he was his own role model because he understood himself better than anyone and that makes him wake up wanting to be better than he was the previous day.
Mabaso said he uses his improved self as a benchmark to direct where he is going.
“I want to teach the youth in Soshanguve to follow their hearts and to succeed through their talents.”
Mabaso is teaching artists how to market and grow themselves, how to sing as well as having a stage presence.
“The lockdown has affected the stage life of artists and it makes it harder for them to continue with their job.”
“Restrictions of mass gatherings crippled us big time, not only in terms of the kind of impact we make, but it also forced me into learning how to digitise what I do and still be able to make a living,” said Mabaso.
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