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Kabo Leburu- The Alternative Instrumental Player |
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 Thabiso Maretlwaneng
To most, talent is a natural gift and Kabo Leburu is an example of one who has been given more than the lion’s share. He is well known for his performances behind local gospel singesr Puna Gabasiane and Shanti Lo, while in the local jazz industry most will remember him as the lead guitarist for the once popular and now defunct Dance Afrika band (which he says he wants to revive).
Leburu says his musical inspirations are drawn from the likes of Vusi Mahlasela (South Africa), the late Duncan Senyatso, Zimbabwean Louis Mhlanga and Ishmael Lo of Mali. Though most people are taught how to play music instruments, Kabo claims to have learnt how to play all the instruments he currently plays by himself at a tender age. “No one has ever taught me how to play the guitar or harmonica. I grew up loving the music and in 1996 I started to teach myself how to play the guitar,” said the talented guitarist who has earned his respect throughout the country.
Kabo has shared the stage with some of the big name musicians in the region including Steve Dyer, McCoy Mrubata, Louis Mhlanga, Socca Moruakgomo, Machesa traditional group and has played at international festivals such as the Ketapele in Northarm, Thabazimbi South Africa where he performed with likes of Ringo, Sipho Mabuse, Jonas Gwangwa, and Selaelo Selota. He has even shared the stage with London based African-American poet Verse (Katrice Williams). “Doing this type of music in Botswana is hard because there is not much money involved to help us artists .That is why the quality of local music is compromised because most of the artists here do not know how to play music instruments but rely on the studio producers or music computer software,” complained Leburu.
Leburu says his music style has a Zimbabwean –inspired guitar style and has indigenous rhythms, a touch of jazz and a classical finger-picking technique to produce the unique sound. The ambitions guitarists talked about his upcoming album which will be an eight –track project. “The album will be called Footsteps’ and it promises to add a well crafted number to the growing repertoire of original songs in the country” said Leburu who also proclaims to be the first person in Botswana to professionally play the harmonica. The album will also feature John Selolwane, Citie Seetso, Shanti Lo and Lister Boleseng and Mingy the South Africa Afro pop singer.
“The idea of writing an album came in 1998 while I was studying in UB .I wrote some of the songs with inspiration from my ex-girlfriend. I talk about the realities of life and I even use different languages like Seyei. This album will be an expression of my love for music,” explained Leburu. He told Time Out that despite having no sponsorship to produce his debut album, it will be available sometime this year.
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