Picture: (OBK Mochacho celebrating his win with other artists)

BY REGINALD KANYANE

Taung-born artist, Elias Mapoe was crowned as the inaugural winner of Bokone Bophirima Hit Song Competition 2016. The competition finale was held at Mmabatho Convention Centre on Saturday night in Mahikeng.

OBK Mochacho as Mapoe is affectionately known, said he was born and raised in Matlapaneng village, near Taung. He embarked on his musical journey back in 2004.

“My music is a metaphor of my musical journey.  I went to Rustenburg and met with Thapelo Molefe. He saw potential in me and we worked together. We started to perform for free at local taverns in quest of finding a niche within the industry.

“We started to market ourselves. Molefe introduced me to Donald Shompane who also helped me to record my first album called Songo Le Bayana. We were singing kwaito at the time and performed in around Gauteng and North West,” Mochacho said.

He relocated to reside in Krugersdorp. I met with Dj Skhumba and immediately joined his kwaito group called Dinganga.

OBK Mochacho said he wrote more than 100 songs through his music career. He decided to go solo and released three albums so far under his name.

“I managed to sell more than 18 000 units overall. I also performed through fan parks across West Rand region during World Cup in 2010. My unique style of music convinced a lot of South Africans. I also shared the stage with the likes of Mandoza, Elvovo, Pitch Black Afro, Malaika and many more.

“My main focus is to rupture all barriers. I am a song writer and also a performer. I also want to perform at the bigger stage to expose my talent to the world. My style of music is one of its kinds,” he said.

OBK Mochacho further added that his skill is unique. He said his skill is rare and has never been done by any artist in SA.

“Winning Bokone Bophirima Hit Song Talent Competition brings happiness to me. I think what was lacking from my side was marketing my product. The recording deal contract will give me more exposure. I also believe that this created a good platform for up and coming artists from Taung,” he said.

OBK Mochacho won a professional recording deal worthy R300 000.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE
JOHANNESBURG- The proposed Bafana Bafana international friendly match which was scheduled to be played after the Orange CAF Africa Cup of Nations Gabon 2017 qualifier against Gambia has been cancelled.
 
The friendly match was scheduled for June 7 outside South Africa.
 
“After careful evaluation of the final logistical arrangements following the team’s arrival from Gambia, it has been decided to cancel the planned away friendly International and give the players a well deserved rest after a long season,” said SAFA CEO Dennis Mumble.
 
“Given the various flight schedules, the team is only able to arrive back in the country on Monday evening on June 6. We  would therefore have had to travel the following day (7 June) for the proposed friendly scheduled for the same day.
 
“That would have been taxing and unfair for the players and the entire team,” added Mumble.
 
Bafana Bafana face Gambia on Saturday, 4 June 2016 at the Independence Stadium in Bakau, Gambia.
 
Their next assignment is the final AFCON 2017 qualifier against Mauritania scheduled for Saturday, 4 September 2016 in South Africa.
-TDN
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