Apollo Mohlominyane Gabriel Ntabanyane`s Biography

 Name: Mohlominyane Gabriel Ntabanyane

Performance name: Apolo

Date of Birth: 10-May-1942

Place of Birth: Mats`ekheng ha Morena Hlajoane Peete Lesaoana Peete

Facebook page: Apollo GM Ntabanyane

Totem Name: Lets`ekha

Wifes: 12, deceased 5 and 7 alive

Stage attire: blanket woven in the animal tail shape

Active wife: wife #9 `Makoenane Ntabanyane

Children: 35, deceased 12 and 23 alive and most of them sing with Apolo (their father)

Parents: Mosiuoa Ntabanyane and `Mankopane Ntabanyane

Early Childhood life: Born a shepherd and stayed in the cattle post

Favourite instrument (at childhood stage): Sekhankula

Early work life:  went to South African mines from 1960s to 1975

Professional Music Career:  Started in 1975

First Collaboration: Ntate Apolo worked with his cousin and both of them were vocalists and played koriana.

Name of the Band: Tau ea Mats’ekha Basotho Group (1975)

First Payout: R200

Band separation: in Late 1975 Apolo and Forere separated due to personal issues

Albums with Forere:  Moshanyana (date unknown) and Tau ea Mats`ekha

Solo venture: from 1976

Solo Albums: Apolo Thibela Meleko, Mehlolo e Sebokeng etc.

Best hits of his solo: Mautla ba mots`oere, Koena ea hlaha bolibeng, Kobo ea borena, Lipalema, Mokh`oba etc.

Recording Studios: Ha Jane, Galo, Hope Records and Cool spot to present.

Groomed Artists: Lebohang Lets`ohla (Sefako sa menoaneng), Moketa (Kholumolumo ea ka Leribe), Rabots`o le Semanyane, his children etc.

Awards from Lesotho and SA: NUL awards (Certificate), Queen `Mamohato Seeiso Award (achievement award). Ramats`eatsana award


compiled by Leseko Tsehlana