Kobo ea Poloko draws inspiration from her grandmother’s favorite Bible verse, Isaiah 61:3:
Musician Maleloka “Male” Hlahlele has been selected for the 2024 Young Basotho Designers Collection (YBDC) by Aranda Textiles, South Africa’s oldest blanket manufacturer.
“We have been studying the area of design, especially merchandising. We are looking at this [collaboration] as a launch pad,” Marais said. Citizen.
YBDC by Aranda Textiles aims to support young Basotho designers under the age of 45, providing a platform for young and talented designers to showcase their blanket designs and tell Basotho stories through blankets.
Marais' blanket, “Kobo Air Poloko,” pays tribute to her late grandmother, Matrelima Anna Fralere. “I spoke to her about designing this blanket before she passed away, and it's a tribute to her spiritual work as a woman of faith,” Marais said.
Kobo Air Poloko draws inspiration from her grandmother’s favorite Bible verse, Isaiah 61:3, “Clothed in the garments of salvation.”
The blankets are intended to inspire the nation to persevere with faith, as stated in the lyrics of Lesotho's national anthem, “Molimo a ko boloke Lesotho.”
of Ketro Phila Singers aren't the only ones chosen by blanket makers.
Other Basotho designers include Phule Kojoana, Kamoelo Chabana, Lintle Folo, Matabé Ronia Tsawuri, Samuel Ntlakana, Kawelo Lephema and Ketan “Mors” Hlalele.
The latter is not related to Marais, despite the fact that they share the same surname.
“He is a popular Korean accordion player from Maseru. I am asking if there is a direct family connection and the Hlalele clan is a big one. I think we will soon connect the dots,” Mare said.
For the 2022 pilot, Aranda collaborated with musician Thabe “Ntate Stanna” Letsie and socialite Tshepo Pitso, popularly known as Material Don Dada, for “Manotti a Koriana” and “Ritota” respectively.
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Murray has released his final album. Lerato LakaAfter taking a break from music, she released her new album, “ABIE,” in 2022. The album, which reflects her journey of love, has received an overwhelming response from her ardent fans.
“The album was very well received. Considering I was away for five years and the market has changed, there are a lot of artists for people to choose from. I'm lucky to have a fanbase that is hungry for my music.”
Her critically acclaimed albums, including her other two, You move my heart The album was released by her previous label, which owns the masters, and the work is not available on streaming platforms.
You move my heart Malay's hit songs include ChemoAfrica Although she released the album's title track, all of the music she released under her previous record label is owned by the company.
“The masters were from my previous label. I wanted to try a live recording and let my fans hear the music,” she said.
Since leaving her record company, the veteran musician and AFDA graduate has founded her own company, Psalms Productions, and is working independently.
“When you work independently, you don't have the luxury of being left to your label; you have to do it yourself. The main challenge is securing funding to shoot a music video, others include building relationships with stations that will play your music,” Marais asserted.
“But the sense of freedom that comes with being independent is good.”
In August, Marais will host an intimate dinner in Bryanston to officially launch the blankets, which are already available in stores.
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