Volume 51 Issue 12 - December 2013 : Others

“Oh! O apere bo blue! It`s a blue Wednesday today!” says Odirile Sento alias Vee wa Mampeezeey (Vee) who is clad in blue trousers and matching shoes. Her fiancé is wearing a blue pencil skirt that perfectly fits her while Kutlwano`s Ndingililo Gaoswediwe (NG) is also wearing a blue dress.  

Blue: the colour of the sky and ocean. It is often associated with depth and stability. It symbolises trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith and truth. These are some of the attributes that one can use to describe the pint-sized musician who is also the Safe Male Circumcision (SMC) ambassador. He needs no introduction as his music did way back in 2004. 

Without much exchange of pleasantries, NG sits down with Vee, who is on a rush to pick up his son from a kindergarten, to explain his journey during the SMC campaign as World AIDS Day (observed every first day of December) approaches.

NG: As SMC ambassador, what can you tell us about the campaign so far?

Vee: The campaign is still ongoing, thus until 2016. So far, like any other campaign, we started with pilot projects and these helped in understanding how to reach our goal. Despite challenges, we have done a good job since we kick started the campaign with some oomph. At first, we had a challenge of gathering people in one place to share the message and the introduction of mobile clinics immensely contributed to the smooth running of the campaign.

 NG: What contributed to the positive response towards the campaign?

Vee: Fa o combiner truck ya mobile clinic le Vee o sure ka story. 

NG: What lessons have you learnt from the campaign so far?

Vee: Issue ya behavioural change is complex but when an individual knows and understands the truth it becomes easy to make decisions pertaining to different issues. Lack of knowledge sometimes becomes a hindrance. 

NG: Men are nosocomephobic, what can you say about this? 

Vee: Because I am a man and I have circumcised, when I speak to men ke itse gore ke bua le batho ba tlhaloganyo e e ntseng jang. The fact that I am a musician also helps in grabbing clients` attention.

NG: December 1 is World AIDS Day, what can you share with our readers?

Vee: Ke bua le borre…SMC reduces chances of contracting HIV/AIDS by 60 per cent. If you are circumcised it does not mean that you cannot get infected. ITS SIMPLE: Boys must abstain. Men must condomise and be faithful to partners. It is about their (men) health, personalise it o seka wa re ke dilo tsa ga govy…

NG: Ok Vee, we can`t sum up without touching on your carrier. Are you still in Kwasa Kwaito music or you have switched to a different genre?

Vee: Aa, kante golo mo ke interview e e feletseng? I am still doing the genre but now with more house music and a bit of gospel. 

NG: Why did you take the new route?

Vee: For the gospel part, I am a born again Christian and I use music to share my experiences in life. Ke okeditse cos nne ke feeler gore music oa chencha and to try and move with time. As a producer I know what`s in and caters for different generations.

NG: So far, how is the reception from your audience?

Vee: It reminds me of 2004, the days of Taku Taku and Kasi Angels. People who didn`t listen to my music are now so into it, I get calls; bagolo and even mama and mmaagwe my fiancé love the music.

NG: How is Black Money Makers doing?

Vee: Doing very very well and we have signed a new artist, Figos. We are in partnership le Slizer, Dan Tshanda and Franco.

NG: Under the stable, how many artists have you produced so far and how many are making it?

Vee: So so many. (as he tries to recall through the help of his fiancé) Eskimos, Exodus, Mingo, Captain Dira, Maxy, Kearoma Rantao, Sisco B. Ga ke batle o picker from the list, ba kwale botlhe. Dilo tse di political, yo mongwe o tla a bo a re o pickile semangmang nna o ntlogetse, ke buile ka re ga a nthate. Di artist ba kgona go e chest trapper.

NG: What do you think about the local music industry, is it growing or stagnant?

Vee: The music industry is growing. Today there are endorsement deals with artists which was not the case in the past. For some artists to be nominated for Channel O awards, this is an indication of quality music and good work by producers.

NG: Thanks for your time Vee.

Vee: Eeee!

​ENDS

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