The city has been abuzz as friends and fans have gathered to catch Teboho Mochaoa – or Morena Leraba, as he is known on stage. The Basotho artist — affectionately deemed “the shepherd guy” by his bandmates — brings the energy of famo from the rolling plains of Lesotho, fusing it with afro house and an electro impression. The lead vocalist has been touring Cape Town with band members Bronwen Clacherty, Sihle Mkhize and Thamsanqa Ngwenya. KAT MANNE got up close:
Upon first sight, you may not recognise Teboho Mochaoa as Morena Leraba – or so I was told by a friend as we glimpsed a sweet spirit shyly sipping a milk stout in the flickering candlelight of Cafe Ganesh. He has a tenderness vastly different from what he embodies on stage where his body language, tone and expression changes. There is a sense of command that seems to be preparing to commune. Another facet shows Leraba in an in-between state, light-footed and in his element, showing off dance moves as he did at the rooftop of The Other Radio after a listening session for his new album, Fela sa Ha Mojela.
Leraba adjusts to the environment seamlessly, moving easily between gentle spiritual spaces to intense electronic set-ups. He also has a unique effect on the space. His collaboration with Andile Dyalvane of Imiso Ceramics saw us dancing bare-footed post-performance over umqombothi where some guests took to the drums and I had a chance to pick up the bow and join three other musicians at the witching hour. The Outer Space Tazers Tour at EVOL brought an entirely different energy, where the bands socialised between pool tables before catching the opening acts at which point a nice gentleman noticed my hobbit size and allowed me to climb his back. After sufficient head-banging, Morena Leraba takes to the stage for the last performance well after midnight to a full and eager crowd. I sit among smokers against the wall beside an amp as Bronwen turns to swing cowrie shells toward us. A red light illuminates the shepherd through the smoky haze as the bass trembles through my back into the people swaying around me.
Active space
By the unwritten rules of town escapades, I am late to arrive at Selective Live but early enough to greet Teboho and Thamsanqa Ngwenya at the bar before catching vinyl spinner, Couch Surf and Brusselian trio Las Lloronas stargazing outside over ale. The show opens and Teboho’s voice resonates from the front of the house to the balcony. I manage to weave through a tightly packed audience to the intimate stage. It’s a warm, homey setting as I join some people in front sitting on the floor as if we have arrived at someone’s home to hear stories from a wayfarer. Those flanking us are happily eating wings afore a tall barman in clear shades bobbing his head to the music. Teboho moves from stillness to dance with ease. The space is active. He is accompanied by Thamsanqa’s empyrean tones with Bronwen’s soft percussion and Sihle’s melodic lines leading them through song.
The set ends off with a lullaby met with an encore for ten more songs. After Teboho whispers to each member, Thamsanqa announces that they haven’t prepared an extra song so it was decided that they will compose a song on stage. Blessed to witness their process, the audience praises them with applause and the band joins hands to bow in thanks. Guests scatter to find drinks more suited to the late evening, play chess in the lounge area and dance to the sounds of Adon Geel before Lethu Tshabangu of Ukhamba closes the night with some reggae. We’re left with a scene of the band amidst the guests in the moonlight, lightly landing from the transcendence of their performance of yet another musical eve in the ever-enchanting streets of the Mother City.
Follow: Morena Leraba for more information as the band prepares to leave for Europe to perform for the next few months – www.instagram.com/morenaleraba
WS
