Song 1:
Moemedi ga a na meno
Ga a na meno
O tshela ka motogo
Ka motogo
Song 2:
Motsibodi o boela skolong
Motsibodi?
O boela skolong
[Repeat]
I think when Leboso, my classmate at Tlhomo Junior Secondary School back in 1995 to 1996, composed and brilliantly sang ‘Moemedi ga a na meno’ he was angry at Moemedi, his arch-enemy. Moemedi won the physical battles. So the defeated Leboso had to stand up, and demonstrate his lyrical prowess, to the delight of many.
Because of Leboso, I’m learning of the technique of anadiplosis, whereby the same words at or near the end of a sentence are repeated at the beginning of the next. Note that Leboso adopted the technique of anadiplosis to lay emphasis on Moemedi’s missing teeth and his preference for soft food. Leboso, made a reference to motogo to denote that Moemedi preferred eating soft food because of the missing teeth.
However, when he composed and expertly sang ‘Motsibodi o boela skolong’ he was happy to see Moemedi back to school. Here, he used the name Motsibodi, Moemedi’s nickname, instead of Moemedi, suggesting that he was in a relaxed mood. I think he had missed Moemedi’s prolonged absence from school.
Perharps, we can conclude that while they fought a lot, Moemedi le Leboso liked each other. They brought the best out of one another.
I believe the education system failed and continue to fail geniuses like Leboso. Unfortunately, ‘intelligence’ is measured narrowly. And we then ignore qualities that some students have such as the artistic creativeness of Leboso. Had his strengths and qualities been encouraged and supported we will be telling a different story in regards to his ‘educational achievements’.
Thank you Leboso for your guidance and inspiration. The poem by Mzwakhe Mbuli, ‘Sis Bayasinyanyisa’ that you often recited its first three lines for us is now one of my all-time favourite poems.
Robala ka Kagiso Leboso,
Bophose
Blessing Kgosi e tsile Kgasa 