Jazzman’s journey took him from mines to fame
Selota says destiny carried him from a life of poverty to acclaim
Before he became a force on the jazz music scene, celebrated guitarist Selaelo Selota worked as a miner, bar cleaner and postman. He says that was part of his destiny. "I do not believe in luck. Well, if there is such a thing as luck, it has been eluding me the whole of my life," he says. "Rather I believe in destiny, that which is meant to be. "When I joined a group of job seekers on the West Rand, looking for work as an unskilled mine worker coming from the former homeland of Lebowakgomo, it was part of my life journey," he says. "I got myself into an environment that was culturally enriching, a melting pot that enriched my musical aspirations. "We were migrant workers, a lot of us from the homelands — Xhosas, Bapedi, Zulus, Basotho, Tswanas — who found ourselves living and working together," Selota says "On weekends, we had music performances, singing and dancing. That was the beginning of my musical journey. I found myself learning from fellow mine workers." He received his firs...
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