I am the voice of SA’s AfrikanerYouth -Snotkop

Snotkop made his musical breakthrough as upcoming kwaito artist Lekgoa, after he signed his first big recording contract in 2002.

Born Francois Henning in Zimbabwe from South African parents, he grew up inRandburg in the Gauteng Province of South Africa, where he started singing at the age of 23. He received a South African Music Award (SAMA) nomination for ‘Best Afrikaans Pop’ album last year for his self- titled hit album ‘Francois Henning Was Hier’ and the same album also received Tempo and Vonk nominations in the same category.Snotkop turned out to be a very articulate and well- informed young man. He took time out of his heavy work schedule to speak to The Weekender about his highly successful music career and his much anticipated performance at the Hart van Windhoek festival, being held at Doc Jubber Stadium today and tomorrow.
Who is Snotkop?I was actually given the name Snotkop by my late father. It is an Afrikaner’nickname’ for a naughty boy. I guess I must have been naughty during my growing up years.
Who are your musical influences?I grew up listening to the township bubblegum music of the late Brenda Fassie, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Mercy Phakela and big Afrikaner icon Koos Kombuis. I just loved the music because it touched the soul and the lyrics where about the everyday happenings in the lives of the people.
How did you become a kwaito artist?I was introduced to the music by a very good friend going by the name of Tili. She was a real township girl and would always have the musicof the likes of Chicco and Brenda. I became fascinated by their heavy beats. I can speak Sotho and I just loved the message in their lyrics. Tili found it hard to pronounce Francois and she then decided to call me Lekgoa and the name stuck.
Who do you consider as SA’s best kwaito artists?I love Trompies, Chiskop and Boom Shaka and I have great respect for Mandoza because his music also made a very huge impact on my (Afrikaner) people.
Why did you return to Afrikaans music?I was born and raised Afrikaans and obviously that was always close to my heart. I decided to become the voice for the Afrikaner youth and sing about real issues affecting and effecting their lives.
What do you think of Namibian kwaito music?Apart from the little I have seen and heard on television, I haven’t really been exposed to Namibian kwaito. But when I am there in Windhoek I would love to fish around and listen as much as I can. I know Stefan Ludik very well and I think his music is very cool.
Are you planning to return to television?I’ve done a lot of acting on soapies like ‘Generations’ and ‘7de Laan’ but I am very busy with my music career at the moment. I am doing it full-time and I have a very busy schedule with all the bookings and recordings and it is just impossible to do TV now.
What inspires your music and what do you sing about?I am inspired by the daily lives of the people. I love to sing about the troubles of their lives but I don’t just want to sound sad. I also sing about the jolly part of life and being a fun person, I sing a lot about jolling as well. My music helps people to heal and I carry the message of the youth in my music. I also sing about my country.
Who is your favourite Africans music artist?Kurt Darren. He is simply gifted musically and he is always on the look-out for young talent and always willing to help them grow. He is a gifted singer and a very successful musician. He also helped me a lot with my career. He is a real gentleman at heart who is not selfish.
Who is the biggest Afrikaans music artist you have worked with?I’ve worked with great musicians like Steve Hofmeyer, Nicolas Louw and the legendary Johnny Clegg with whom I performed during the opening of the ICC Cricket World.
Which Afrikaans artist would you love to collaborate with?That would definitely be Koos Kombuis because he has very strong lyrics and he is never scared to speak his mind. I would also like to do a collabo with Kurt Darren.
What can your Namibian fans expect from you?I don’t stand during my performance I move around a lot so they can expect a high energy show. It is going to be a real party, a big jol.
What is your advice to upcoming artists?I think that the only way to crack it big in this industry is to have the belief that you are going to make it big one day. Don’t listen too much to negative reviews. You must have strong self-belief and iron will to succeed.
Do you consider yourself to be successful?Yes-ja! I am very happy with what I have achieved because I am able to maintain a very good level of living. I’ve worked hard to be where I am and I still continue to work hard. For sure, I am successful but I am striving to achieve more.
Do you think Julius Malema’s comments could potentially insight racial conflict?You know what? A few people in my country have lost focus with what Madiba worked for and that is reconciliation. Madiba preached for a better South Africa for all its people but some people have lost a bit of focus and their utterances could cause a rift which could lead to disaster. It will be better for all people to tolerate each other and live peacefully with one another. That is what an honourable person like Madiba stood for and that is why he is such icon in the world today.

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