While traditional dance groups have slowly faded from the scene, Ranku has found it fit to unite some youthful talents and set up a traditional band with the sole purpose of empowering one another.
In an interview with Arts & Culture, the group’s manager Lenah Bolawane said most of their group members have been traditional dancers from a tender age. She said it was only in August 2022 that they decided to come together to form a contemporary music band and released their first recorded album. “Our first album is titled ‘A Re Tlhabaneng.
The album was produced by Kelefitlhetse Bosekeng at Stone Records," she said. Bolawane further said they are looking for artists in the creative industry to work with as part of their plan to grow their brand. "We are still young in the industry. We have not done traditional music and dance as a profession but a hobby before but now we feel we are ready to penetrate the local music industry,” she said.
Even though the dance group is enriched with immense talent, Bolawane said they face some challenges that hinder them from growing such as lack of finance. She said that has killed many upcoming artists’ talent. Bolawane added that they are currently struggling to get sponsorships, which has forced them to dig from their own pockets in order to sustain the band.
Despite all the struggles, she said they always leave a mark whenever they get an opportunity to perform, stating that they have received applauds from some of the renowned artists they have shared the stage with. She said the public reception has also been good thus far, something that has motivated them to work extra harder.
“We want to be the leading brand in the music industry leading the cultural preservation and passing it to the next generation. In addition we would like to challenge other young people to venture into traditional music as it sustains our heritage as Batswana hence this would keep our identity both regionally and globally,” she said.
