By Emily Setona
QWAQWA — The crowd erupted when Lesotho Sotho-hop star Sannere stormed the stage at Diphakoeng Sports Ground, unleashing raw Sesotho sound that had Phuthaditjhaba on its feet.
Sannere performed on Saturday, 26 September, during the Free State’s provincial Heritage Day commemoration.
His lyrics — rooted in everyday Sotho life, laced with life advice — hit home, especially with the youth.
“I love Sannere because he sings powerful Sotho music that gives good life advice,” said 20-year-old fan Siyabonga Maqabolane, singing along word-for-word.
The energy exploded when Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae jumped on stage to dance alongside Sannere as he belted out his hits.
It was a moment that matched her own message minutes earlier.
“Heritage lives in the languages we speak, the songs we sing and the stories and traditions passed from one generation to another,” Letsoha-Mathae told the crowd.
“Young people should not simply be spectators of culture, but participants, interpreters, custodians and innovators,” she said.
MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Ntombizanele Sifuba said performances like Sannere’s prove culture is alive and relevant.
“Music, dance and storytelling can help rebuild values such as respect, responsibility, compassion and Ubuntu, while creating spaces for conversations about dignity and equality,” Sifuba said.
She urged communities to speak indigenous languages with pride, support local artists, and push children into cultural activities.
As Sannere’s Sotho-hop echoed across the stadium and the crowd sang back every line, one thing was clear — when heritage rides a modern beat, the youth don’t just listen, they live it.
