By Matṧeliso Phulane
Entertainment personalities have paid tribute to one of their own, Afrobeats DJ Kopano Alotsi, famously known as Kopper, who passed on last Saturday at his hometown of TY after a long battle with cancer.
Born on July 12, 1986 Kopper is known for playing Naijah music.
He was also a promoter and entrepreneur who owned an events management company called Big Events which, among others, organises Spring Jump Off, Maseru Beach Party and All White Festival.
In an interview with theReporter this week, one of his close business partners, Lereko Mohale who works as managing director at Jam Session Sounds said he met Kopper in the early 2000’s.
“We started having a long working and personal relationship in 2009 when I was still a DJ myself and he was working with the Loud Sound as a partner.
“I have worked with him in all the events he hosted as his sound supplier, including Spring Jump Off, Catch Time and All White Festival.
“Kopper was a very intelligent person, who read a lot and did a lot of research. He loved an entertainment with all his heart,” Mohale said.
He noted that Kopper was a huge asset to the entertainment industry and his death was a great loss and had left an unimaginable void.
The DJ had a vision to see the entertainment industry growing, and was also on hand to help others excel in their respective areas of specialty, Mohale pointed out.
“We were counting on him to carry the torch and lead this industry to dizzy heights, since some of us are now old and are about to retire.
“His death is a bitter pill to swallow for his supporters and all who knew him. He loved everybody and would not hesitate to tell a person when they were wrong even if they were his superior,” he added.
Another longtime business partner of Kopper’s, Mohale Lebina, said the first project they worked on together was the Amapiano Picnic event in May 2021.
Lebina described Kooper as a humble person who was dedicated to his work and loved entertainment industry dearly, not just for the money.
“Kooper has gone too soon; he was still very young and had lots of potential. It is a huge loss to his family as he was newlywed. It was a very young family and the biggest challenge now is how the family will cope without him,” he said.
His sentiments were echoed by Thabo Tau, also known as Dj Thizozo, who said Kooper’s death was a big blow to the entertainment industry.
“I have worked with Kooper since 2011, doing almost everything together. I do sound rental so it means he would come to me whenever he needed equipment.
“One of the biggest projects we did together was when I did my first event at Hlotse. I collaborated with him because he had extensive experience when it came to events management while my forte was sound engineering.
“He has been like a brother to me, with that bubbly personality of his. We are still trying to get our heads around the reality that he is no more. As the brains behind big events such as the Beach Party, he has left an indelible mark on the local entertainment industry, Thizozo concluded.
The late Kopper is also credited with spearheading collaborations between local and international artists such as Vetkoek and Mahoota.
A memorial service in his honour will be held on January 17 at Makhaya Café at Marabeng in Berea. He will be laid to rest on January 20 at Sethaleng Ha Ntjabane in Teya-Teyaneng.
