‘Ke mang a tsebang thope ea sehlaba ha le le banna le le bakale, e pulutsoana e sefapano sa mosa mahetleng ena e bitsoang ka lebitso la sekhooa, Sara. E hlolang e kalleloa lehlaka naheng, ba bang ba otloa ba tsetetsoe mangoele…’
Kananelo Boloetse
It is with profound sadness that we heard the news of the passing of Khopolo Kholuoe, better known as Lisuoa, a revered Famo artist who was tragically shot and killed at MASOWE in Maseru on Saturday, 20 July 2024.
My last encounter with Khopolo was a poignant one.
It was in May of last year when we gathered to lay my grandmother, ‘Maboloetse Boloetse, to rest at Ha Ramasabata, my home village, in Mafeteng.
‘Maboloetse was born at Ha Lumisi, also in Mafeteng, and so her maiden surname was Lumisi. The villages of Ha Lumisi, Santeng, and their surroundings have been immortalised by Khopolo in his music as Thabana Mahlanya.
After the funeral service, Khopolo spent some moments with the attendees, engaging with fans and posing for photos. This scene was a stark contrast to the image he had long cultivated through his music.
In person, he was approachable and warm, far from the rebellious, hot-headed persona his lyrics often depicted
I first encountered Khopolo over a decade ago. I was in a taxi from Mafeteng to Maseru, and the taxi driver played Khopolo’s album, Lisothile Bokaota No. 3. With its popular songs like Letlama la Jipi, Ha ke le tsabe bohale, Mongala, and Ke Nyamatsa, the album was captivating and unforgettable.
During that time, the administration of then-Prime Minister Thomas Thabane was striving to unite warring Famo groups. In his album, Khopolo vehemently declared his refusal to participate in any efforts to unify these groups, asserting his commitment to living and dying by the sword. He boldly stated that he would never take off his Letlama blanket, even if Aranda, the oldest blanket manufacturer in South Africa, promoted Malakabe, an old design featuring flames.
Ironically, at the time of his tragic shooting, Khopolo was allegedly working to unite Famo artists. Just a few weeks ago, he was in Mafeteng with other Famo artists, performing a song they had jointly composed to inspire unity in a genre that has been marred by extreme violence. It seems he had experienced a Damascene moment, yet his brand remained closely associated with a gun, as evidenced by his Thabana Mahlanya Music logo.
At its best, Famo music is provocative, which is why its staunch supporters always say, “If you cannot stand the heat, you must get out of the kitchen.” Khopolo’s album was indeed provocative, voicing thoughts that many of us harbored but were too afraid to express openly.
After that first album, I ensured that I listened to every one of Khopolo’s subsequent albums. Each was more provocative than the last. People would tell you that if Khopolo’s music played in a tavern, a fight was inevitable.
One night, I was traveling with my nephew and his friends. When we passed Motsekuoa, they decided to stop to refill their drinks. I stayed in the car and fell asleep. They woke me up when they returned, rushing to leave. When I asked what was wrong, they said we needed to leave quickly because people in the bar had started playing Khopolo’s songs, and a fight was imminent.
That was the essence of Khopolo. ‘He made music for men,’ some people said.
I loved his voice, and I remember one song by Molefi Tjemolane, popularly known as ‘Mantsoaki, where in the intro, Khopolo says: “Hase nna ke Tlhanya Masoleng.”
In the middle of the song, Khopolo comes in again, saying: “koba hlooho ndoda, koba hlooho u seke oa ba sheba ka mahlong.” I loved this song and the combination of Khopolo with ‘Mantsoaki, and I was deeply saddened when they fell apart and started insulting each other.
I had hoped that in their lifetime, they might reconcile and bless their fans with a collaborative project. My heart is at peace knowing that Khopolo was working towards unity, and who knows, maybe the idea of him working with ‘Mantsoaki was no longer far-fetched.
Khopolo had recently become extraordinarily close to his fans, fostering a deep and genuine connection through his regular performances in Lesotho. Unlike many other artists who have settled in South Africa, Khopolo remained steadfastly present in his homeland.
His regular appearances and electrifying performances endeared him even more to his supporters, creating an intimate bond.
His recent song, Letsatsi la botlokotsebe, captivated the hearts of many on social media, especially on TikTok. This track transcended the usual audience of Famo music, winning the admiration of listeners who previously did not engage with the genre.
The song’s viral success showcased Khopolo’s unique ability to bridge cultural and musical divides, bringing his art to a wider audience.
This surge in popularity led to Khopolo being invited to perform at Cleketseng, a prestigious mainstream event typically graced by A-listers. His performance there was met with overwhelming appreciation from the crowd, solidifying his role as a cultural ambassador.
Khopolo’s presence at Cleketseng not only highlighted his immense talent but also played a significant role in bringing the Famo genre closer to the people.
But beyond being a Famo artist, Khopolo was a devoted father to his children and a loving husband to his wife, ‘Mamahali. Everyone who knew Khopolo knew he had a daughter named Mahali. Apart from calling himself Ntat’a Mahali (Mahali’s dad), Khopolo mentioned his daughter’s name in almost all of his songs. He also mentioned that he was ‘Mamahali’s husband.
Despite the controversies surrounding him, he was not a deadbeat father. It is perplexing that while he was often criticized for instigating violence, his role as a present father and husband was rarely acknowledged. Is it because only negative aspects influence people, while positive ones go unnoticed?
Khopolo Kholuoe’s legacy will live on through his music and the indelible impact he made on the Famo genre. He will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and countless fans.
Rest in peace, Khopolo Kholuoe, our beloved Lisuoa. Your voice and spirit will resonate forever in our hearts.
