Sereetsi & The Natives, is a Botswana-based contemporary folk artist who is making waves in the world music scene with a unique blend of traditional rhythms and modern influences.
Led by composer, guitarist, producer, arranger, and singer, Tomeletso Sereetsi is deeply rooted in the native cultures of Botswana.
“The Natives” are the supporters, the fans and the audience. The Natives refers to the fact that the foundation of the Sereetsi & The Natives product is the musical heritage of the native cultures of Botswana.
It is an acknowledgement by Sereetsi that his songwriting and production exploits the sonic and rhythmic templates that have been handed down orally over generations of the people of Botswana.
The native is not only an individual native to Botswana. “The term also refers to anyone at any particular moment who connects with the sound and spirit of the music,” says Sereetsi.
Sereetsi &The Natives in (2025) will be celebrating the release of its latest studio recording titled Mmabatho.
A self-made four string plank spanker, Sereetsi is a lyricist, and a story teller of note.
The gifted strummer broke onto the musical scene in 2015 with his debut album Four String Confessions. The acts strong songwriting and performance genesis began with the debut album, Four String Confessions (April 2015) and its sophomore studio outing, Motoko (April 2018), present a fearless sound that blends traditional Botswana rhythms with influences such as jazz, pop, blues and classical music.
At the heart of the Sereetsi &The Natives’ sound is the signature sound and unique tradition of the Tswana four string folk guitar.
The debut album yielded four Botswana Music Awards in 2016 – Best Single, Best Male Artist, Best Folk Album and Best Newcomer.
Sereetsi & The Natives boasts of a steadily growing international performance credit.
With two critically acclaimed albums, Four String Confessions (2015) and Motoko (2018), Sereetsi &The Natives has garnered numerous awards and nominations, including four Botswana Music Awards in 2016.
Has performed at various international festivals and events, including the Utrecht Tourism Fair in the Netherlands, Bushfire Fest in Eswatini, Planetta World Music Fest in Sweden, Maletsunyane Fest in Lesotho, Ake Arts & Book Fest in Nigeria, Artistic Encounters in Kenya and the Vic Falls Carnival in Zimbabwe.
Sereetsi & The Natives is set to headline few events in 2025.
Image supplied (Sereetsi recorded performing at the MTN Bushfire).
