“IT WAS planned that in commemoration of one of the world’s celebrated icon- Nelson Mandela Day on Friday- we pre unveil the launch of the gallery,” exuded the excited world star Lebo M, whom you and I better celebrate as ‘Mr Lion King’.
He told this reporter during interview on Thursday evening, that the gallery is fundamentally close to his heart, as it speaks about his heritage and the road travelled to become what he is to the world.
“Pre- commemorating Madiba’s Day was planned only weeks ago, with my team, and what a way to continue paying homage and respect to a global icon, who sacrificed his freedom for politics, for both you and I, to better do what we know best- crafting our future,” said Lebogang Morake, a Tladi- in Soweto born.
The occasion at the Gallery 2, perched inside the Keyes Art Mile, Rosebank, was to honour the legendary Lebo M’s 60th anniversary birthday that was on July 11, to experience what he coined: ‘The Dream and The Dreamer’, whose idea is premised on celebrating the life, legacy and artistic evolution of one of SA’s iconic figures.
Its an exhibition that offers a visual walk through Lebo’s extraordinary journey over six decades, a heartfelt tribute to the dreams, impact, and enduring legacy in music and global storytelling.
During interaction with guests, the kleva van kasie, as Lebo is synonymous with, thanks to his tsotsi taal, peppered with intellectual acumen, exhibited to packed audience that he had to leave mzansi and travel to Lesotho for a brief spell. But they did not remain long as they had to hustle from one area to another including Leribe, one of Lesotho’s affluent areas, to eke out a living.
His memoir, authored by another Tladi born and dancer (Chupi), also features extracts, when he and a friend, who is no more, at the age of 17 had to move once again from Lesotho to the US, a trip that was facilitated by a certain reverend, who saw a potential in the duo in singing.
Naïve, unknown, they had to make ends meet by ‘faking it until they made it’ and at times had a brush with the law who accused them for stealing and detained for months.
Upon release, they had to move from one club to another singing, and that’s where they met some of musical bigshots.
The tome also talks about how they made money, dating a White girl- imagine being a black, poor young lad from Soweto (unheard of), etc…
The memoir features world’s best images from Dr John Kani, musician Jennifer Hudson, Sir Elton John, close friend and producer Hanz Zimmer, Prince of England, and the Clinton’s, amongst others.
“I’m relieved we managed to pull this off, considering the time associated with the planning and all that,” remarked Lebo M, who promised SA that since Cape Town hosted the sold-out show in 2024, plans are afoot to debut in other key capitals in the country, soon.
The launch had the likes of marketing guru Thebe Ikalafeng, Lebo M’s attorney and wife- B Msimeki (great folks).
Minnie Dlamini was the MC for the evening.
‘Happy Nelson Mandela Day’, concluded the Lion King’s maker.
Image SLM ( Lebo M recorded alongside his biographer at the launch, held at Keyes Art Mile- Gallery 2, Rosebank, o Thursday evening).
