Pastrica's magic feet are his eyes

CHIPPA LEGODIMO
Staff Writer | Tuesday July 23, 2013 00:00

 

His Woza kimi video on YouTube has garnered 124 views since it was loaded eight months ago. It is an entertaining piece of work that demonstrates the musician's artistic footwork and sound brilliance. Pastrica grew up at Diteneng, a small squatter location opposite the notorious Peleng. The gumba-gumba sound blaring the music of the stars of the 80s- Volcano, Splash, Shamila, and the Teanat brothers Foster and Peta would often entice him to cross over to the hilly area for a dose of his favorite music.

His pantsula uncle was an inspiration and is credited with teaching his nephew the various dance moves.'We used to go as group to listen and watch people dance. But I believe the reason I developed such a passion for this music was because I had someone I looked up to at home, my uncle who was a disco zealot,' Pastrica said.He learnt his dancing skills in a strange way. His uncle would make him touch his legs and try to copy the movements.

'At times he would go up a tree, hang with his hands from there and repeat those moves and instruct me to touch and feel how he moved the legs, waist and shoulders,' Pastrica said. Born in Mmathethe, the modest musician started his primary school in Mmathethe, but was transferred to Maitlamo primary school  in Lobatse where he completed his standard seven in 1991. He later proceeded to Letsopa Secondary School in where he completed his form two in 1993.

'My results were good enough to earn me an admission at senior secondary school, poverty was a major obstacle in achieving academic success,' Pastrica said.His  admission at Podulogong Rehabilitation Centre in Mochudi in 1999 afforded him an opportunity to live his dream and in the processes advanced his passion and ambition for becoming a recording artist. He affiliated for a diploma in business studies and also completed a certificate in poultry production at the same institution.But because he showed good potential in music, the school sponsored him to study music in Zimbabwe and has since been employed by the same institution as a music trainer.In 2003, Pastrica released his first album called Ba ba ratang kuku, which he believes was a good introduction though he admitted it fell far from being called a hit.

It has since been a very slow growth for his music career. But now he looks determined to make an impact and is already working on a few ideas. Because music is his soul. Pastrica has established his own studio in Mochudi called Stop Over Records, which is in the process of releasing Mpedulo Dandile's new album.'I have just finished programming it and it is really a good composition,' Pastrica declared. Because he wants to take his music to another level, the dreadlocked musician says he is in the process of purchasing musical instruments as he plans on embarking on lie shows in future.'People who have seen my video on YouTube often ask me why I do not perform live and it is not that I do not like it. I have not been having the equipment,' he said.