This Sunday Sunset Serenade, my weekly 101.9 Chai FM journey of de/constructing jazz music, the stories behind the melodies, and the lives of the people who shape our society through leadership, culture and service will explore the life journey of a man whose contribution to South Africa’s media, communications and leadership landscape spans more than four decades. This is Solomon Motsepe – affectionately known to many as Sol. From humble beginnings marked by poverty and adversity, to becoming one of the youngest editors of a national publication, and later serving in senior leadership positions in both the private and public sectors, his story is one of resilience, determination and purpose.
Many jazz lovers will remember his role in documenting and promoting some of South Africa’s greatest musical talents during his years in journalism. Yet beyond the headlines and boardrooms lies a man deeply committed to social transformation, family values and community development.
He joins me in a conversation to reflect on his remarkable journey, the lessons he has learned through triumph and tragedy, including the recent loss of his beloved wife, and the inspiration behind the newly launched “I Can, I Will Men Empowerment Network”, a movement aimed at building stronger men, stronger families and stronger communities.
Saul Molobi
Thank you for agreeing to this conversation, it’s a privilege for me because you are the person who built music careers in this country and I’m thinking of such stars as Brenda Fassie, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Ray Phiri & Stimela and many others. First thing first, who is Solomon “Bro Sol” Motsepe?
Sol Motsepe
I grew up under very difficult circumstances and experienced the harshest realities of poverty from an early age. Like many South Africans, I faced significant obstacles that could easily have defined the course of my life. I remember there were times when opportunities seemed limited, especially in Pretoria, in the area where I grew up.
However, those circumstances taught me what I would call resilience. They taught me determination and the importance of never surrendering to adversity. Instead of allowing poverty to become my destiny, I chose to use education, hard work, discipline and faith as tools to build a better future.
Today, when I speak about empowering men, strengthening families and transforming communities, I do so from lived experience. I understand the challenges because I have walked that journey myself.
Before I go deeper into that, I would like to go back to the 1990s. You seem to be more interested in that period. I would have wanted to go straight into the 1990s, but allow me to point out that my journey started while I was still at school, doing what we used to call Form Four.
As a young man, I developed a passion for communication, storytelling and social issues. This passion led me into journalism, where I started as a youth columnist for the Soweto newspaper. I did that for four years, and that opportunity opened many doors.
I subsequently worked as a sports editor and later as a journalist for City Press for about four or five years. This was among South Africa’s leading newspapers.
As you say, we met in the early 1990s. I was relatively young then, about 28 years old. I achieved a significant milestone when I became the youngest editor of a national magazine called Jive in 1990, and that is when we met.
That experience taught me leadership, strategic thinking, responsibility and the importance of understanding people from all walks of life. I am proud, honestly, as you have mentioned, that people such as the late Ray Phiri, Sipho Mabuse and others had to come and ask for permission to appear in the publication. I decided whether or not they would be published, although I had an exciting relationship with them.
Today, I am what I am because of them. I am known because of them. More than anything, journalism itself gave me a front-row seat to the realities of South Africa.
Saul Molobi
Just to chip in there, you gave me the opportunity to be your freelance writer while full time I worked for Learn & Teach. The first article I did for you was on a jazz joint owner in Soshanguve. Later, music promoter Bro Peter Tladi – who later founded the Joy of Jazz – came to you and asked: “How do you write a feature article on that guy when you have not written anything about me?”
You called me, and I went to see him. I think by then he was staying in Eldorado Park. I wrote his profile.
In fact, the year before last, when the Joy of Jazz was celebrating its 25th anniversary, I reminded them of that article. They were meant to look for it and exhibit it because his recollection was that it was the first feature article written about him as an emerging jazz promoter.
You have made an impact not only in the jazz scene but in the music industry in South Africa. When we look back, we have to pay tribute to legends like you who are still alive and still in our midst.
That is why it is an honour for me to be hosting you tonight.
Let us continue with your journey up to where you are today.
Sol Motsepe
I was not aware that I am a legend, and that is a good point to raise. At least when I look at myself in the mirror going forward, I will smile and say I have made a contribution to the music industry, including the jazz terrain.
I am happy that I have crossed paths with legends like Peter Tladi. Say hi to him. I have not seen or heard from him in a long time.
As you say, my career journey later expanded beyond journalism and media into executive leadership roles within both the private and public sectors.
Over the years, I have had the privilege of serving in leadership positions involving strategy, stakeholder management, business development, communication, governance and organisational transformation.
Working in those sectors allowed me to better understand how interconnected the challenges facing government, businesses, communities and ordinary citizens are. It reinforced my belief that effective leadership is about service, integrity, accountability and creating opportunities for others.
That is why we felt it was imperative to establish a movement that we started recently, on 30 May, at Mount Amanzi in Hartbeespoort. We are saying, “Men, let’s talk.”
People are dying quietly with challenges, worries, fears and anxieties. We strongly believe that the I Can, I Will Men Empowerment Movement will help under the circumstances.
If you want me to expand on that, I can.
Saul Molobi
I was going to situate that within the context of our country and many others across the world that are experiencing a wave of gender-based violence and increasing incidents of men committing suicide because of societal pressures.
Many of these problems also stem from the economic crisis facing South Africa and the rest of the world.
Tell us about your men’s empowerment programme. I find it quite interesting because since 1994 we have spoken extensively about empowering the girl child, yet we have remained relatively quiet about empowering the boy child.
Those children from the mid-1990s are now adults, and they are facing these challenges. That is why your intervention is very necessary.
Please go deeper into it so that we can understand it better.
Sol Motsepe
Just as a point of interest, the girl-child campaign was started by one of my former colleagues at Telkom, Zeona Jacobs, and I was part of that movement that has now spread across the world.
Let me personalise it this way, Bra Saul:
Like many entrepreneurs and business leaders, my journey has not been without setbacks. There have been moments of disappointment. I have faced financial pressure, failed opportunities and difficult decisions. Business can be unforgiving. Leadership can be lonely. Life can be unpredictable.
As you know very well, I lost my wife about a year ago.
Every setback taught me valuable lessons. Every obstacle created new opportunities for growth. I have learned that success is not measured by the absence of difficulties but by one’s ability to persevere despite them.
The discipline to continue when circumstances are difficult ultimately separates those who succeed from those who give up.
The I Can, I Will Men Empowerment Network was born from my own experiences and observations. I have seen talented men lose hope. I have seen families struggle because fathers lacked support and mentorship. I have seen young men searching for direction. I have seen communities suffering because leadership was absent.
I realised that we need more platforms where men can be encouraged, mentored, equipped, challenged and inspired.
The network, which was launched a month ago, exists to build men of purpose, strengthen families, transform communities and develop ethical leaders. I do not know if we have enough ethical leaders in South Africa. We need more.
We want to advance entrepreneurship, promote responsible fatherhood, mentor future generations and create a lasting legacy of impact.
I must re-emphasise, Bro Saul, that I am living proof that your circumstances do not have to determine your destiny.
I grew up in poverty. I faced adversity. I fought through challenges in journalism, business and leadership. I learned that success comes from discipline, resilience and purpose.
That is the message behind the I Can, I Will Men Empowerment Network. No matter where you come from, you can rise. No matter where you come from, you can lead. You can make a difference.
That is why I am saying: gentlemen, we have a convention on 22 September 2026 at Castle Kyalami. Please join us. It is going to be a life-changing experience.
The gentlemen who attended our inaugural event in Hartbeespoort demonstrated something remarkable. We started at 9:00 and ended at 17:30. It was the last day of the month, when many people are usually socialising and celebrating payday.
Yet only two people left early because they had long distances to travel. One was travelling to Thohoyandou in Limpopo and another to the Northern Cape. Everyone else stayed for the entire day despite it being month-end and a weekend.
Saul Molobi
Earlier I said that you were looking much younger. Let me also indicate that you look stress-free.
This came to mind when you were talking about the passing on of your wife because the last time I saw you was at her funeral. She was my former university classmate.
I think our conversation today can even be seen as a tribute to her because she was instrumental in building such a beautiful family with you.
As we are closing, may I ask you to give a message to our listeners and readers?
Sol Motsepe
Bro Saul, thank you once again for the opportunity and for paying tribute to my wife.
She was the pillar of my strength, and as you know, she made things happen. That is why there is a void at the moment. However, we want to keep her legacy alive.
What I need to re-emphasise, especially around this major milestone for the I Can, I Will Network, is that people should come, especially men. Men often do not attend these kinds of events.
I need men to attend this convention.
The convention will bring together leaders from business, government, entrepreneurship and education. We chose the theme because we believe discipline is the foundation of success in every area of life.
Strong families require discipline and foresight. Successful businesses require discipline as well.
The convention is designed to provide practical tools, inspiration, mentorship and networking opportunities for men across South Africa.
We encourage them to join us on 22 September 2026 at Castle Kyalami in Midrand.
South Africa faces many challenges today. We see rising unemployment, family instability, youth hopelessness, substance abuse, gender-based violence and declining ethical leadership.
We strongly believe that the convention will challenge men to become better fathers, better husbands and better leaders.
We encourage business leaders, entrepreneurs and community activists to come through and become part of this revolutionary movement.
The movement will ultimately culminate in a national launch on 27 March 2027. Hopefully, it will be officially launched by the President of South Africa.
Saul Molobi
That is wonderful. How do people get in touch with you? Do you have social media handles and an email address?
Sol Motsepe
People can contact us on our telephone number and WhatsApp number, 083 5800 122. We are also on Instagram, Facebook and virtually every major social media platform.
We believe that, as South African men, we can overcome adversity, build strong families, create businesses, mentor young people, transform communities and together help build a better South Africa.
Saul Molobi
Thank you so much. One last task for you. Please recommend a jazz song that I should play this Sunday for my radio listeners.
Sol Motsepe
To be honest, there is only one song that resonates with me. Call it jazz or whatever genre you wish, but it is a beautiful song by Letta Mbulu: “Maru”.
Saul Molobi
I love that. It also takes me to the literature of Bessie Head’s When the Rain Clouds Gather. Rainfall is about blessings.
Thank you for being available to join me.
As we conclude our conversation with Sol Motsepe, we are reminded that leadership is not defined by titles or positions, but by the ability to transform personal struggles into opportunities for service and inspiration.
His journey from the realities of poverty to the heights of leadership demonstrates that circumstances need not determine destiny. Through journalism, business, public service and now the I Can, I Will Men Empowerment Network, he continues to advocate for resilience, discipline, responsible fatherhood, ethical leadership and the restoration of hope among South African men.
Perhaps the most powerful lesson from our discussion is that behind every successful individual lies a story of perseverance, sacrifice and unwavering faith. It is a message that speaks not only to men, but to every South African seeking to build a better future for themselves, their families and their communities.
We thank Sol Motsepe for sharing his story, his wisdom and his vision with us.
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Catch my interview with Sol Motsepe on 101.9 Chai FM this Sunday from 17:00 to 19:00… You may tune into 101.9 FM or stream live from www.chaifm.com…