Obakeng is definitely Graced and Favoured for Success
Botswana’s gospel industry continues to grow day by day and with its growth we come to see the emergence of many gospel musicians who are with no doubt game-changers within the gospel world of Botswana. There are many countless stars doing great and Obakeng Sengwaketse definitely is one of them and he is our star feature in this edition. Hailing from Kanye and having grown in the Ngwaketse village, he is a fond music lover and believer and that is just how the star came to be a traditional gospel sensation that he is today.
Obakeng has been in the gospel music industry for the past 12 years and managed to have his big break and build a notable career that is inspirational to other gospel talents like him. The 38 year old singer says his talent came to a discovery way back during school days where they used to have music lessons. He says that his teacher would always encourage him to sing and telling him he would one day be a recording artist and he stands today grateful for the encouragement the teacher used to offer him. He would later on go and venture into the gospel music. The reason why he chose a path of gospel was because of the fact that he had a Christian upbringing and so it was inevitable. He went for that type of music genre because of those within the very industry that he looked up to that inspired him. He said he has only done this genre and it is like a medicine to him as it brings him healing and a sense of serenity.
When he went on to talk about his career as a gospel artist he said that the career was really something he just loves and will go a long way with and he doesn’t see himself quitting or doing anything else aside from it. He says he does not regret a single moment of what he does. All throughout the career he has had to experience a lot but whatever that came his way he only took it as a lesson and learning curve, all the good and all the bad combined they have been nothing to him but lessons meant to help him grow and groom himself as a better artist. This is one of the reasons why he has managed to come so far and be able to accomplish all that he has accomplished as an artist.
Speaking of accomplishment, the artist has had indeed God’s hand of favour upon him through his music. He has had quite notable achievements in his career with no doubt more of them coming along in the long run as he has a long journey ahead. He has had the opportunity of winning some music awards which he says he stands very proud of as they mean a lot to him. He said that they show him that there is something positive that he is doing as a musician and also as a person. One other thing he says he considers as a great achievement is being able to make an impact into the world like having to sing for children at the disadvantaged organisation and schools, just to be able to bring them joy was a great achievement to him. The humble singer has won many awards and very recently got to win the BOMUs as well as the best gospel artist of the year 2021. He has also won the Best Traditional Gospel Album award in 2012 and 2017 just to mention a few and has been nominated in quite a lot of awards as well
The artist has had a good career and opportunities that a lot of gospel artists dream of. He has had to perform with and along many acclaimed African gospel legends like the late Sfiso Ncwane, the late Lundi Tyamara, Zaza and quite recently at the December show along Benjamin Dube and Lebo Sekgobela just to name a few. As a man like any other he does have dreams and desires and his are to see himself working on some projects with Dumi Mkokstad,Thinah Zungu and the great Bucy Radebe. He says he loves their works and he has faith that at some point he will work with either of these renowned artists.
“I have long liked Lundi Tyamara when I started and there is a wonderful gospel artist in South Africa that I look up to by the name Dumi Mkokstad and locally I just love Tshepo Lesole,” said Obakeng when he was talking about fellow artists that he admires and also looks up to. He says the likes of Tshepo Lesole are some artists that have really broke boundaries and make some really inspiring music that puts local gospel music on the maps. He also said he would not forget one other artist who is a good and very wonderful friend of his in the gospel world, Godfrey Mahlangu who is a great leader indeed.
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The artist went on to admit that although the local industry is experiencing growth, the growth is not as fast as it should be. Unlike other gospel industries in other countries its growth is a bit slower. He said that things like the fact that artists in Botswana are not united and working together or encouraging each other is one reason why the industry is taking a long time and is very slow in its growth and development. He says such are things that make the industry grow and move on so slowly. “We are killed by not coming together in one accord,” he said. The artist said that Batswana as an audience are very supportive and would not be put on blame for how they as artists are doing. He said they are the ones killing themselves some with their egos and all.
He went on to appreciate the local support he has from Batswana. He said that his fans inspire him as an artist. He is even more grateful for the support that he receives and already has outside the country in South Africa, Namibia and other countries. Having a fan base not just within your parameter but also out there is just the stuff dreams for an artist and that really inspires him and motivates him to push on and work on harder as an individual and for the satisfaction of the fans. His fans love his music and enjoy it. But of course there are favourites and the most songs that people listen to are ‘Seteng Sediba’ and ‘Kreste yo Galalelang’ among his music. ‘Seteng Sediba’ is actually the one song that made us come to know about him as an artist. But of course so are most of his songs.
The star says being an artist has not been easy though. He has had to face so much but such is being an artist, there are always challenges and hardships. Now he learnt that regardless of all those one needs to keep going and trusting God. He has had so many achievements and those are the other things that help him keep going as they remind him of what it is all worth. He also says that he believes that one can overcome all challenges through a life of prayer. The artist says he will keep working hard to achieve more as he believes that he has yet more to accomplish and do in this industry.
Apart from music, the star is a brand ambassador for PJ Clothing and is the owner of OS Clothing label and of TopDog Construction PTY Ltd.
Duncan Sebeso