The Mahikeng Campus of the North-West University (NWU) recently welcomed acclaimed motswako rapper, Motlapele Morule – popularly known as Mo’ Molemi, as a student.

Known for his verbal dexterity, the Mahikeng-grown talent is unmatched in his command and use of Setswana, leaving many green with envy. The rapper paints pictures with his lyrics, and his songs tell stories of the everyday struggles faced by ordinary people trying to make an honest living.

Having released three albums in his time, Amantsi, A sia and Motsamai: A rebel without a cause, the talented rapper went on to pursue another avenue to make his mark in the world: he is now studying towards a BSc in Agriculture.

In 2012 Molemi was one of the winners of the South African Breweries Kick Start Award, an entrepreneurship development programme. He received R120 000 in prize money which he used to build a greenhouse.
Molemi’s journey into academia coincides with his dream to one day break into the McCain and I&J-monopolised market of processed produce with his company Arable Parable. He would like to see it grow into a big player in the agricultural landscape, providing and suppling markets in Africa with locally sourced produce.

Since growing up and spending most of his formative years on his family farm in Ramatlabama village just outside Mahikeng, North West, Molemi says farming is second nature to him.
“I will also visit Morocco, an opportunity the North West government in conjunction with the United Nations has provided me with, to learn about fish farming and attend the country’s fish farming exhibition,” he added.

The talented musician and farmer says music and farming are at times on opposite ends, competing for his attention, when he would rather have them work together. “I will still work on new music here and there, but committing to a full body of work such as an album will not be likely,” he added.