A 40-year-old musician says that he cannot imagine living without musical sounds around him as he considers music to be the food of thought.

Patrick Rathokolo, a resident of Tshikota, has just released his second gospel album, titled I Love You Father God. It comprises 15 songs, such as Ndi funa Yesu, Sweet Chariots, Babylon and Tuwa mbilu yanga. The songs are mainly sung in Tshivenda and English.

“I don't like blowing the horn about my abilities or the quality of my music,” says a humble Rathokolo, “but in the music industry, you've got to communicate with your fans through the newspapers and the radio, and this is exactly where people need to know about your work. There are messages to soothe and uplift broken-hearted souls in my songs.”

After matriculating, Rathokolo wished to pursue his music studies at the University of Venda, but a lack of money impeded him. With much patience and hard work, he managed to raise some money and boarded a bus to Johannesburg. “In Johannesburg I enrolled to study music at Funda Centre.”

His passion for music was seen in his zeal to make friends with like-minded individuals and companies. “Remember, I was in an art school,” he says. “But I had taken to visiting Morning Star recording studio after school hours, where I learnt a lot about recording music.”

Rathokolo says that what he loves most is to sing while playing an acoustic guitar. “I was lucky enough to meet a gentleman from Cape Town, named Sydney, in 1988," he tells. "He taught me how to play the acoustic guitar. I like the sound of an acoustic guitar because it is unique and natural.”

In 2001, he heard that a church in Makhado needed members for a worship team, so he seized the opportunity and went for an audition. He was successful and the experience with the worship team helped him sharpen his musical skills and expand his knowledge.

He recorded his first album in 2010, with the assistance of backing vocalists Winny Ramuthaga and Lufuno Muzila.

Rathokolo can be contacted at 083 619 0336.