Tello Dallas T Leballo
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Tello Dallas T Leballo | |
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| Born | April 7, 1976 Mafeteng District |
| Nationality | Lesotho |
| Alma mater | Tshwane University of Technology |
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Tello Joseph Leballo (born 7th April 1976), is a Mosotho seasoned broadcaster, music consultant, and founder of Sky Alpha HD - The first online radio station in Lesotho.[1] He is currently an industry advisor in the field of Broadcasting, Film and Television at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology. [2]
EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION
Tello Dallas T Leballo was born in Mafeteng District in Lesotho. He later on moved to Maseru due to his mother's relocation for employment. Dallas T studied his primary school at St. Bernadette in Maseru, then graduated his high school at Mabathoana High School. He became a DJ while still at Mabathoana High School and that is where he developed deep passion for music and broadcasting.
Dallas T further on went to hone his skill in broadcasting at FlipSide Record in South Africa to study Audio Broadcasting. Dallas T embarked on several broadcasting studies. He then went to HeadStart College in Cape Town to study Language and Communications Skills. He later on went to Tshwane University of Technology to study Human Resources management and Labor Relations. Further more, Dallas T went to Cairo Media School in Egypt, then went on to study more on broadcasting in Nairobi, Kenya with Voice of America.[2]
CAREER
In 2001, Tello Dallas T Leballo was employed by Lesotho National Broadcasting Service (LNBS) as an intern. He was later promoted to the position of Technical Officer in 2002, and subsequently moved to the programs department to resume a role as a Radio Presenter and DJ.[2]
In 2006, Dallas T was selected by the then Minister of Communications and later Prime Minister of Lesotho, Thomas Thabane to spearhead the successful establishment of the country's first and only government-owned commercial radio station, The Ultimate Radio, a position he held until 2019 when he founded Sky Alpha HD. During his tenure at the Ultimate Radio, Dallas T worked together with Lesaoana Lesupi and the late Pearl Ocansey, to oversee the smooth inception of the station.[1]Dallas T had many campaigns with The Ultimate Radio (UMA), including the Ultimate Music Awards, and enjoyed 5 consecutive and successful editions from 2013 to 2017.[3] [4]
The Ultimate Music Awards (UMA) was established to reward outstanding performances for artists in Lesotho. This was done to motivate other artists to work harder on their music.[3] The few categories included in UMA were Famo, Gospel, Afro Pop, Kwaito, Music Video, Dance, Duo or Group, International Breakthrough, and song of the year. Each nominee was given a code for everyone to vote for that artist via an SMS.[5]
As a Radio DJ and Presenter with over ten years of experience, Tello Dallas T Leballo assisted artists from Lesotho to gain a significant recognition and grow. He made it possible for audiences to support local musicians, especially those doing Hip-hop. These artists include Morena Leraba, Kommanda Obbs, Mookho Moqhali, Dunamis, Stlofa and many more.[4][6]
As a DJ, Dallas T has performed on highly acclaimed international events such as Botswana Kalahari Toyota 1000 Desert Race, Morija Arts & Cultural Festival and Lesotho Tourism Festival (LETOFE) to mention a few. He has shared stage with the likes of Dj Tira, DJ Zinhle, Oskido and Hip Hop Pantsula. Toyota Desert Race event was held at Jwang Town Council Stadium Botswana. Dallas T was chosen to represent Lesotho at this event. He performed alongside Botswana's artists like Scar, Vee and Recky Lamar. Lady Solo from Swaziland shared the stage with Dallas T at the same event.[7]
As aforementioned, In 2019, Dallas T established his own and very first online radio station in Lesotho called Sky Alpha HD.[1] Through Sky Alpha HD, He also received a grant from the American Embassy for training journalists and editors on countering misinformation in a digital era. He was also nominated to partake in an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) by the American Embassy titled Edward R. Murrow program for Journalists - Media in the Age of Disinformation which will take place from September 5th, 2023 to September 29th 2023. His latest endeavor, the "Sky Music Awards", is a testament of his dedication to recognize, appreciate and honor outstanding musicians in Lesotho, particularly those from the younger generation.[2]
Since Dallas T initiated the inception of Sky Alpha HD, the initiative has been welcomed by many reputable global media houses, which has resulted to enjoyable relations with institutions like Right for Education, Africa's largest life long learning and mentoring resource and Voice of America.
Dallas T also worked with musicians like Bhudaza, Tshepo Tshola, Maleh and Mo'Malemi as ambassadors for the Ultimate Music Awards. He is currently working with Kananelo Boloetse as Sky Alpha HD's Head of News and Tseko Monaheng on several creative arts projects.[4]
Tello Dallas T Leballo is also an events promoter with over a decade of work experience. He was an organiser for events like Motsoako Invasion which featured Khuli Chana and Tuks Senganga, and many more. He has also organized an event where South Africa's Afro-Soul sensation Serame Sediti was performing to inspire upcoming Lesotho musicians. Dallas T incepted an annual music festival called Spring Madness, a concept which became popular within the Lesotho social scene with emphasis to promote Lesotho musicians. Spring Madness took place for more than five years in the country.[5]
Currently, Tello Dallas T Leballo is working with Music in Africa on a project funded by the European Union aimed at the archiving of music in Southern Africa. He is running a documentary series of podcast to educate more about music and indigenous languages, alongside Tseliso Monaheng, a writer and long-time documentarian of Rap Music an Hip Hop culture Lesotho.[8] He also serves as an industry advisory member at the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology Lesotho, specifically within the faculty of Broadcasting, Media, and Journalism.[2]
CHARITY WORK
During the Covid-19 pandemic peak in 2020, Tello Dallas T Leballo donated food parcels to orphanages in Lesotho. Through Sky Alpha HD, Dallas T collaborated with Lesotho Flour Mills and Upper Qeme Fruits and Veg Market to donate food parcels to an old age home and two orphanages at Ha Seleso Maseru.[9] This was the time when Sky Alpha HD celebrated its first anniversary. The event took place on Africa day. The orphanages and an old age home where Dallas T donated food parcels to are God's Work Centre, St Angela Cheshire Home of Disabled Children and Mazenod's Reitumetse Church Project.[10]. Dallas T has also contributed on other charity endeavors such as the Mafeteng District charity work, where he delivered Christmas food parcels to the orphanages of Mafeteng District, an initiative that was welcomed by Lesotho's Ministry of Social Development and the office of the District Administrator in Mafeteng. He also contributed to the building of the brand new house for the orphanages in Sehlabeng, Maseru.
Dallas T has also ran some corporate social initiatives with Sky Alpha HD where he donated washable sanitary towels to less privileged teenage girls in several high schools in Lesotho, working with Days for girls International. Some of these notable high school were Lekokoaneng High School in Berea, Itekeng High school and Mazenod High School in Maseru.[11]
AWARDS
Tello Dallas T Leballo scooped esteemed awards throughout his career, including the Best Radio Personality endorsement from Media Institute of Southern Africa Lesotho Chapter. He was also awarded an Influential Media Community Personality by the Supreme Performing Arts Theatre (SPAT). Dallas T was once again awarded the Best DJ award by Miller Competition 2007. MTV SADC Radio Forum also awarded Dallas T the Best SADC Radio Influencer Award.[2]
- Media Institute of Southern Africa Lesotho Chapter's Best Radio Personality award[2]
- Supreme Performing Arts Award (2004)[2]
- MTV SADC Radio personality award (2009)[2]
- Miller DJ's Competition Winner (2007)[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Times, Lesotho (2019-04-09). "Dallas T launches online radio". Lesotho Times. Retrieved 2023-07-30.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 "Tello "Dallas T" Leballo". Music In Africa. 2022-08-25. Retrieved 2023-07-25.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Times, Lesotho (2017-10-20). "UMA roadshows begin". Lesotho Times. Retrieved 2023-07-30.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Monaheng, Tseliso (2016). "On The Map: Maseru's Hip-Hop Scene - Okayafrica". www.okayafrica.com. Retrieved 2023-07-25.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 5.0 5.1 Times, Lesotho (2018-05-01). "Sediti's Afro-soul at Dee Tee Lounge". Lesotho Times. Retrieved 2023-07-30.
- ↑ "The new accordion cowboys". The Mail & Guardian. 2019-02-15. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
- ↑ Times, Lesotho (2014-06-27). "Dallas T set to rock Botswana festival". Lesotho Times. Retrieved 2023-07-30.
- ↑ "The Lesotho Rap Archive Project". ntsoana. 2023-08-01. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
- ↑ "Sky Alpha HD donates to orphanages". Retrieved 2023-07-29.
- ↑ Times, Lesotho (2020-05-30). "Sky Alpha lends hand to the vulnerable". Lesotho Times. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
- ↑ "Days for Girls International". Days for Girls International. Retrieved 2023-08-06.
External links
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