Tsepo Tshola

Lesotho jazz musician (1953–2021)

Tsepo Tshola

Background information
Birth name| Tsepo Tshola
Also known as| The Village Pope
Born| (1953-08-15)August 15, 1953
Died| July 15, 2021(2021-07-15) (aged 67)
Genres| Afro jazz
Years active| 1970–2021

Musical artist

Tsepo Tshola (1953-2021) was a Lesotho-born jazz musician.[1] He was a member of the Afro-jazz fusion band Sankomota as a songwriter and lead singer.[2]

## Early life

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Tsepo Tsola was born on 15 August 1953 in Teyateyaneng, Lesotho.[3] His father was a minister and this gave him an interest in and connection to religious music, and later Sesotho music. In the late 1970s, Tsola formed a band called Uhuru which later changed its name to Sankomota.[4]

## Solo career

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Under the moniker "The Village Pope", Tsola released his debut album in 2002 and titled it New Dawn. He went on to release several more, notably Lesedi and The Village Pope. Tsola has performed in many countries overseas and collaborated with South African musicians such as Jub-Jub and Casper Nyovest.[5][6]

## Late life

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In his later years, Tsepo Tshola performed gospel music and worked with artists such as Dr Rebecca Malope. He won many awards including the Metro FM Lifetime Achievement Award and the YoMzansi Lifetime achievement award.[7] Tsola died on 15 July 2021 of complications related to Covid-19, passing away in Lesotho.[8][9]In 2018 Tsepo Tshola was honoured with a Commander of the Most Loyal Order of Ramatšeatsana award by His Majesty King Letsie III.[10]

## Personal life

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In the early 2000s, Tsepo Tshola went public about his drug addiction.[11][12] He Tshola had two sons, Kamohelo and Katleho who are both singers .His wife died in 1991 and he never remarried.

## Awards and honors

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* Metro FM Lifetime Achievement Award 2016.[13]
* Commander of the Most Loyal Order of Ramatšeatsana award by His Majesty King Letsie III.[14]
* YoMzansi Lifetime Achievement Award[15]

## References

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1. ^ https://www.nac.org.za/rest-in-peace-village-pope-tshepo-tshola/
2. ^ Digital, Drum. "At home with...Tshepo Tshola". News24. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
3. ^ Digital, Drum. "At home with...Tshepo Tshola". News24. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
4. ^ "Rest in peace, "Village Pope" Tshepo Tshola – National Arts Council". 2021-07-16. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
5. ^ Chironda, Melody (2021-07-15). "Lesotho: Legendary Musician Tshepo Tshola Dies". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
6. ^ "Winners of the 14 annual Metro FM Music Awards". Roodepoort Record. 2015-03-03. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
7. ^ "Winners of the 14 annual Metro FM Music Awards". Roodepoort Record. 2015-03-03. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
8. ^ Ansell, Gwen (2021-07-21). "The Village Pope has passed: remembering Tsepo Tshola, Lesotho's musical giant". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
9. ^ Kolotsane, Thabiso. "Exclusive: Musical icon Tsepo Tshola laid to rest in Lesotho". Daily Sun. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
10. ^ https://sundayexpress.co.ls/tsepo-tshola-honoured/
11. ^ "Celebs won't crack down on dealers". IOL. 1990-12-06. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
12. ^ "Drugs bane of the gifted". SowetanLIVE. Archived from the original on 2020-12-04. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
13. ^ "Winners of the 14 annual Metro FM Music Awards". Roodepoort Record. 2015-03-03. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
14. ^ "Tsepo Tshola honoured". Sunday Express. 2018-07-17. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
15. ^ Phiri, Janice. "Watch | Remembering Tsepo Tshola". News24. Retrieved 2025-05-10.