Sankomota

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Sankomota
Also known as	Uhuru
Origin	Maseru, Lesotho
Genres	Afro-Jazz, Rock fusion
Years active	1976 – present
Labels	Shifty Records

Members	Frank Leepa Moss Nkofo Black Jesus Pitso Sera

Past members	Tsepo Tshola (deceased)

Sankomota is an afro-jazz fusion band formed in 1976 in Lesotho. The band consisted of several members in its earliest years, namely: Frank Leepa (guitarist, vocalist, arranger, composer), Moss Nkofo (drummer), Black Jesus (percussion), Moruti Selate (bass), Tsepo Tshola (lead vocalist and composer), and Pitso Sera (guitar), among others. Peter Schneider managed the band from its early years until 1979. Under the leadership of Leepa, Sankomota's career spanned more than two decades.

History

Frank Leepa - also known as The Captain - started the band in school, called Anti Antiques. The band later changed its name to Uhuru. However, due to the popularity of Black Uhuru from the Caribbean, they had to change their name again. When asked what Sankomota means, Frank Leepa said that it is the name of a mighty warrior from the Basotho and Bapedi people. Sankomota was the first band to record an LP in Lesotho. They were recorded by Lloyd Ross and Warrick Sony of Shifty Records on November 11, 1983. The album was self-titled, and it has nine tracks that collectively run under 50 minutes long.

Tsepo Tshola died on 15 July 2021.^[1]

Discography

Sankomota (1983)
Dreams Do Come True (1987)^[2]
Ngwana Moshangane (2021)^[3]
Piano For Kings (2022)
Disatlo Bowa (2022)
Change Marobalo Ep (2023)
Pelo Yaka (2023)

References

^ "Legendary jazz musician Tsepo Tshola has died", Channel24.com, 15 July 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2021
^ Wiser, Danny (17 November 2020). "LESOTHO: Dreams Do Come True - Sankomota". 200worldalbums.com. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
^ "Shifty – since '84".