Pleasure Tsa Manyalo: Preserving Sepedi Culture Through Music
Multi-award-winning singer Pleasure Ramadimetja Peta, popularly known as Pleasure Tsa Manyalo, has built a career rooted in celebrating and preserving Sepedi culture. At 45, her music remains a bridge between generations, ensuring the values of Ubuntu are not lost. Her songs have become a staple at weddings in Limpopo, uniting people across different backgrounds through shared cultural experiences.
Pleasure emphasizes the importance of culture in shaping a nation. “We become a lost nation if we are not aligned with our culture and tradition,” she tells Drum. She believes traditions sustain communities and reflect the values of Botho, the African ethos of caring for one another. Her lyrics, often rich with proverbs and idioms, showcase the depth and beauty of the Sepedi language.
In October, she released an eight-track album, ‘Pleasure in 20 Years,’ celebrating two decades in the music industry. The single ‘Re bontsheng’ quickly gained traction on social media, highlighting her enduring influence. “I started singing in 2005. I deemed it necessary to release a special project as a token of appreciation to my fans and supporters who’ve been by my side in the past 20 years,” she says.
Born in Tjiane, Ga-Mphahlele, Pleasure grew up in a musical family. Her early training came at Sunday school under the guidance of her grandfather, the late Bishop Nkotsane Charles Maja. She recorded her first album, ‘MaAndrews vol 1 (Sheba nna),’ in 2005 and has since released numerous hits. Her music blends traditional African sounds with gospel and contemporary beats. Popular tracks include ‘Lefotwana,’ ‘Laela, Ke Lorile,’ ‘Ntshike ka diatla,’ ‘Modimo ke sethakga,’ ‘Sekgameetse,’ ‘Kgalemela lenyatšo,’ ‘Malapa ga a lekane,’ and ‘Banyadi.’
Her work has earned widespread recognition. She has received multiple awards, including the Basadi Woman In Music Award and the Best Sepedi/Manyalo at the Limpopo Music Awards. Her song ‘Ke Lorile’ also earned her the Artist of the Year title. Pleasure views awards as validation and motivation to continue promoting culture through her music.
Beyond music, she serves the public sector, having worked as a police constable before joining the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform. She also holds a National Diploma in Animal Production and a B.Tech in Agricultural Management from UNISA, reflecting her commitment to agriculture and community development.
Despite her busy career, Pleasure prioritizes her family. She balances work, music, and personal life by valuing downtime with loved ones. “Sometimes music can take you away from your family due to a hectic schedule and back-to-back events. I cherish every opportunity to rest and spend quality time with my loved ones,” she says. Her life reflects discipline, humility, and a dedication to preserving cultural heritage for future generations.
