HELLEN GOLEKANE MATHUDI DIKOBE

PERFORMING ARTIST


IN THREE WORDS, I AM...
Gentle, loving and full of fun person.

IF I’M FRIGHTENED OF ANYTHING, IT’S...
Failure.

IF I COULD TRAVEL BACK IN TIME I’D SET THE DIALS FOR...
I don’t look back in my life for the simply reason that I don’t have any regrets so far.

MY FAVOURITE PERSON IN THE UNIVERSE IS...
My mother, Ruth Dikobe.

MY LEAST FAVOURITE PERSON IN THE UNIVERSE IS...
I try not to hate or dislike except for the Devil/Satan.

THE LAST TIME I LOOKED IN THE MIRROR I THOUGHT...
Damn I’m beautiful.

IF I HAD TO LEAVE A BODY PART TO SCIENCE, IT WOULD BE...
My heart; I have a good and loving heart and I would want whoever that gets it to use it wisely.

MY DEFINITION OF LOVE IS...
Gentle, but it can be bitter and sweet.

THE LAST TIME I VOMITED, IT WAS BECAUSE OF...
Untidiness; it makes me puke.

THE GREATEST LESSON LIFE HAS TAUGHT ME IS...
Live a day today and don’t apologize for it tomorrow.

IF I KNEW THE WORLD WAS ENDING TOMORROW, THEN TODAY I’D...
Spend the whole day with my beloved ones; family and those close to me.

THE SONG I WANT PLAYED AT MY FUNERAL IS...
‘You’re true joy’ by Letta Mbulu and Caiphus Semenya.


I WANT MY TOMBSTONE TO READ...
Here lies Hellen; a loving friend, daughter and the greatest singer of our times.

IN PURELY MONETARY TERMS, I AM WORTH ROUGHLY...
An unlimited number of zeros.

NEED-TO-KNOW
1). Born at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Johannesburg on June, 6, 1980, Hellen Dikobe is a talented Afro-Pop singer who as a lady continues to triumph where many fear to trod.
The dreadlocked woman who hails from the small village of Mabalane in the Kgatleng District explained that her father who sadly passed away in 2003 was the reason why she was born at the famous African hospital as during that time the old man was working in one of South Africa’s gold mines.
‘All I know is that we hail from Mabalane. However I didn’t grow up there. I spent most of my life in the city, Gaborone where I attended Ben Thema, Maoka and St. Joseph’s College. I’m glad that most of the country’s renowned celebrities all come from this school. Take the likes of Vee, myself, DJ Sid for instance. Ha-ha!’ noted Hellen with a vivacious smile.
The woman with an ear-piercing voice added that she had always wanted a career in music and so far she had no regrets whatsoever.
‘Music has always being my first love. After completing Cambridge I started doing gigs with the Clement Jackson Crew as a backing singer. I only went solo four years ago with the release of my debut album titled ‘Black Woman’ which had tracks such as the popular ‘Kgangathi.’ It steadily gained local radio airplay and threw me into the eyes and ears of the unsuspecting public.’

2). While many associated the talented singer’s voice with that of the late South African songbird, Lebo Mathosa, Hellen simply said, “People in Botswana have a tendency of associating good Batswana artists with South Africa. I don’t mean to blow my own horn but I am a good singer. I can sing and I want them to know I’m from right here in Botswana. When you listen to my albums, don’t be mistaken. I sing Setswana House music genre which at first was somewhat reserved for men. I changed that.”
Quizzed as to why she chose the latter, Hellen said everything was made possible after she believed in herself.
‘I told myself that I can also do this kind of music. Besides men are human beings just like me and if they can do it so can I. I simply put my foot down and released my debut album ‘Black Woman’ in 2007. Although I didn’t promote it well enough I’m happy that today people know who Hellen is. I’m happy for what I’ve achieved so far.”

3). The 28-year-old songbird said just recently she released her second album simply dubbed ‘The Story of My Life’ which has 11 banging tracks.
She said by the look of things Batswana are receiving the album well adding that she was able to sell over a 100 copies at the album’s premier recently.
“My albums all have Afro-Pop-House feel to it. It’s Popish with an Afro influence that I like to call Afro-Soul. It is fast but also relaxing. I have always admired a person who comes out with their own style, because, there is a lot of Traditional music groups, a lot of Jazz artists, then there’s Vee and his Kwasa-Kwaito. As an introduction to Botswana’s music scene I wanted to bring a new sound to the Botswana scene and see if it is well received. I’m still in control and it’ll be safe to call me the first Botswana woman of House music.’
Hellen has featured in many of the local DJs and musicians’ projects among them DJ Boogie Sid, Owen, Eugene Jackson and HT just to mention a few.
‘I’m happy that these boys continue to engage me. However I’m careful not to have my voice all over the place lest I become tedious.’

4). The last born in a family of three, Hellen paid tribute to the untimely demise of his elder brother and father who passed away in 2001 and 2003, respectively.
‘I’m only left with my mum and sister now. We were five initially.’
On a lighter note Hellen enjoys Serobe dish and just recently finished reading a book titled ‘Art of Praying Together’ which she had borrowed from her mother’s collection.
‘I also enjoy reading magazines and checking their recipes which I normally try at home. I’m a good cook and I love to cook.’
She said as a way of sharing her musical know-how, she is busy mentoring a girlie group called Purple.
‘Sometimes when I play live I bring them on board to back me. I don’t want to stay long in the music business. I think I will retire after five albums and venture into textile. I’d love to have my own clothing label someday.’
Hellen dislikes who like to assume stuff about other individuals. She also hates dishonest people and her message to Batswana is simply, ‘We’re really trying and I wish everyone could support us. Music is my livelihood. Don’t copy my album. If Batswana support us musicians, we will in turn, keep them entertained,” she said as we concluded the interview.