Brian Themba's Rato Laka: A love anthem rooted in Sesotho culture

Renowned singer and actor Brian Themba is stepping into a vibrant new chapter of his music career with the recent release of his first Sesotho single, Rato Laka, a heartfelt nod to his roots and the people who have supported him throughout his journey. The artist, best known for his role on the hit television series Muvhango, has described this milestone as both personal and long overdue.

During a recent interview, Themba expressed his long-standing desire to write and perform in Sesotho, stating, “I’ve always wanted to sing in Sesotho, but I never felt I could actually write like that.” His inspiration blossomed from the profound support he received from audiences in Lesotho after portraying a Sotho-speaking character on Muvhango and interacting with fans who affectionately addressed him by his on-screen persona.

Themba’s new single Rato Laka, which translates to “My Love”, aligns perfectly with his signature romantic style. However, he sees this release as a testament to his creative growth. “I mostly write about love since I started my career as a singer, and Rato Laka is something new and exciting because it’s written in Sotho. For me, this marks a new chapter in my career, and I look forward to writing more Sotho songs,” he said.

The timing of the release is not by chance; Themba strategically chose February, the month synonymous with love, to unveil his heartfelt ballad. “Valentine’s is known for love gestures, and February is considered the month of love. So, when best to release a love song? In the Valentine’s month, so that people can use it to show their love and affection for each other,” he explained.

While the essence of love remains central to his artistry, Themba believes that Rato Laka distinguishes itself from his past works. “It stands out because for the first time, I’m singing and have written a Sotho song. This is to let people hear the versatility of my writing and singing, and it’s been challenging to my creativity,” he remarked.

Interestingly, although Themba identifies as Xhosa, hailing from Mthatha and growing up in Soshanguve, Pretoria, he acknowledges the rich linguistic landscape of South Africa that has always influenced him. “Funny enough, I am Xhosa, from Mthatha, grew up in Soshanguve, Pretoria. But because I’ve related to so many of our South African languages and understand them, it made it even more special to sing in Sesotho,” he shared.

At its core, Rato Laka carries a profound message aimed at rekindling faith in love. As Themba stated, “A lot of people have stopped believing in love. This is to show them or make them feel and believe that love still exists, and they can still experience love in its entirety.”

Teasing his eagerly anticipated upcoming project, Themba affirmed that this single is merely the "tip of the iceberg." “The album is full of beautiful songs, we are on song number 20. I’m not sure if we’re going to release all the songs, but that should tell you that there’s so much to look forward to. The album is coming soon this year. Look out for it,” he said excitedly.

amahle.luke@africannewsagency.com

Saturday Star