A woman living with disability takes her art to the next level

Ga-Mphahlele

A multitalented woman living with a disability wants to take her craft to the next level until she becomes one of the best artists in the world.

Afro Jazz star singer, Refilwe Lekgau (45) was born in Venda and relocated to Ga-Mphahlele village in Seleteng (Makaung) section, after her mother got married to a Mphahlele born man.

Refilwe who enjoys to be called by her stage name “Kgabo” said she discovered her talent from a young age.

The mother of one comes from a family of five, unfortunately her two siblings passed away.

Young as she was, she grew up loving to sing.

She was actively involved in a school choir which sharpened her craft.

Kgabo also loved writing lyrics for English songs after singing them without reading them on the scripts and thereafter making recordings using old cassette.

She never took her craft lightly as she would smile when listening to her recordings and imagined herself as one of the top singer in the world.

Aged just 8, Refilwe aligned chairs and pretended to be singing in an arena. That’s when her aunt who raised her started being supportive of her artistic talent.

Unfortunately in 1994 her supportive aunt died and her death pained her very much to such an extent that she thought it was the end of the world as her aunt was the only one who supported her art at the time.

After completing her matric she wanted to study music but her parents insisted and guided her to study something that would put bread on the table, ignoring that singing was her passion.

She was influenced and chose to study library science. Then fell pregnant in her third year of study and decided to drop out.

While sitting at home she pursued her art and taught herself how to perform Gospel and Afro Jazz music.

Around 2002 she recorded her first best Gospel album titled Retang consisting of 8 tracks.

Four years later she released another Afro Jazz album titled “Simple of Botho”

Asked why she changed from Gospel to Afro Jazz she said: “I was challenging myself, not only that but also to take a step into a world that is so stylish,”

Kgabo recently released a single track titled “skobjang saka” which now trends on Youtube.

Like many artists Refilwe struggles to take her art to the next level due to lack of sponsors.

Anyone interested in help her could contact her on 071 869 9025