Franco & Jeff in second coming
Source : Kutlwano
Author : Baleseng Batlotleng
Location : GABORONE
Event : Interview
Truth be told, the past decade has come across as the most troubled phase of their lives. Worse still, the past five years have seen them virtually vanishing from the scene, only making few appearances on stage while leaving almost nothing for their stick-in-the-mud fans to trace them. Uncharacteristically, they neither offered any explanation nor made any excuses, writes Baleseng Batlotleng.
It was one of those rare occasions where you get these two gentlemen together away from heart pounding drums and hip swaying kwasa-kwasa moves. Though calm, it was at the same time an emotionally intriguing chat in which I noticed a striking resemblance in their lives.
First they joined the army at the same time. Secondly they quit the army with the hope of following a music career which was booming, and thirdly they both married and lost their wives. Last but not least they both stand at 1.85metres and wear size nine shoes.
Sadly music commentators generally agree that Jeff and Franco are totally a pale shadow of what they used to be. They believe the two are now a shell of what they were some 10 years ago when they were at the peak of success as mega recording artistes.
On a penny-wise inspection and away from the rumour mill, one can discern the two heavily built artistes placed too much importance on what the world thought of them, though they are quick to admit they are just as excited about returning to making kwasa-kwasa music again as their fans.
“There were things about me, personal growth things especially after the passing away of my wife, hei ne ke mo rata thata monna e le ba basweunyana ba ba kwa Werda, mme ka gore ke motho wa tumelo, ke mo keresete ebile le kereke e ke e tsenang e ruta thata ka kgomotso ke amogetse gore loso le teng ebile gare ke tswelele pele ka botshelo jwame,” reckons Franco, real name Frank Lesokwane with his usual quick wit amidst occasional chuckles as he reflects on the merry days with his lovely late wife, Magdeline Mackenzie.
Magdeline passed on when their only child, Andy Lesokwane, was just one year and a month old. She took her last breath in October 2010. Franco`s intentions to marry Magdeline inspired him to pen an album titled O nyala leng.
Jeff on the other hand had to convince a High Court judge that his love to his long time sweetheart, Tebogo Matheatau, was indeed on the rocks. Though he cannot dwell much on the nitty-gritties of his divorce when quizzed about the affair, Jeff wears a face that contrasts his onstage demeanour when he narrates the sad tales of going back to bachelorhood. He was finally granted a divorce on the summer of 2009.
The relationship between Jeff and Franco goes back to the early years at Tsogang Primary School in Taung. Jeff was a class ahead of Franco and when they met at the barracks years later, Jeff was the first to identify his childhood friend. “E rile le fa ke ise ke kopane le ene ko dikatareng tsa BDF Band e rile fela ke mmona mo kampeng abo ke re mothakanyana yo ke a mo itse yo. Ke gone ka bo ke gakologelwa gore ke kopane le ene ko Tsogang re santse re le basimanyana ba magheba,” recalls Jeff.
The army barracks would become a launching pad for them. It was the stewardship of the late Malombo Mmereki, the late Tsilo Baitsile and renowned saxophonist, Lister Boleseng, amongst other members of the popular 80`s BDF Band who modelled Jeff and Franco. “I started enjoying ragga music too much because we were doing cover songs. But gradually I fell for the keyboard and at the same time a dancer. E ne e re fa re chaisitse ko tirong ke tshameke le bo Taolo Moshaga le Delta Band,” explains an animated Franco.
The first artist Franco met on his musical sojourn was a certain recording artist named Nathaniel Mwamboma and that was when his career hit the ground running. They recorded two great albums, Bula Matlho and Dumelang. After a short stint with Nata Capricorn, as Mwamboma was affectionately known in music circles, Franco joined Les Afrika Sounds and scored equal success mostly due to his already famous moniker, Lepako and charismatic stage presence. Within a short time Franco was in studio with Alfred Mosimanegape of Les Afrika Sounds to record a chart topping album, Ipabalelo Tseleng and soon afterwards they also did Tsena Mo Y2K together.
At the same time, Jeff frequented Bodiba Night Club during which he was inspired by the prodigy of Lawi Somana, the sensational Zairean musician who became the godfather of the local kwasa-kwassa music. Jeff spent much time as a back-up dancer before launching a solo career in 2002 with his first ever hit album Di lala di tshameka, and from then on, he churned out hit after hit amongst them 5C`s, Garas Pampiri and Ditshepe, the latter album popularised the Setswana folk song Go katweng.
“Ke nako e re neng re santse re dira madi le sengwe le sengwe se tsamaya sentle mme jaanong ke ithutile tota gore fa o tshwere sengwe se se botlhokwa ga re o se somarele thata,” reckons Jeff meaning that at the time life was rosy but life has taught him to be always frugal.
Meanwhile, on the other hand Franco made a massive turn around with his highly coveted album Ke Lela le lona. His efforts were much admired ko lentswe le kwadilwe, or Gabane in short and even beyond. For his efforts, Franco recorded eleven albums which were all successful. He is still revered for his carefully arranged lyrics which turn out to hit at particular individuals in his society.
One vividly remembers Moeriko, Tsietso and Tshegofatso, amongst others. However, Franco suddenly hit the lowest ebb of his career when members of his band resigned en masse. Notwithstanding, by then Franco was such a sensation and the loss would do little damage.
Talented as he was, he immediately penned a song littered with jibes called Phutha merwalo. As a band leader, Franco is meticulous and a stickler for quality and pushes his group, Afro Musica, hard to get the best.
Currently, Franco is shooting a DVD for his latest album Ke fela Pelo while Jeff, who has since relocated to Francistown, is pursuing other business interests and promises another chart topping album in the near future.
As we make way towards the door after our lengthy interview I take a quick glance at their muscular bodies and a question popped up my mind “Ga le a tlhwaafalela sesole?” I carelessly throw the question in the air! “Heela kana bosole ene ele bokwete…ijaa,” replies Franco while winking at his mate.
