Mmaphala Sphere
WeekendLife
The album starts with a very interesting and ear stimulating intro. A Bossa Nova guitar rhythm then as one is about to close their eyes and start swaying their hips, a soft Tsutsube ankle rattle rhythm joins in with some soft bongo drums.
The fusion then comes full circle when the pads join in with the “Iya Hoo” backing vocals, an excerpt from the famous “Re Batswana, Ko Botswana” song. HA E NA is a beautifully written song talking about the awesome things that come with the rain. The song has a deeply emotional undertone as it is played on a minor scale. As you continue listening to the song, it changes and morphes itself into a love song. Wait! was it ever even about rain to start with? Good writing there by Mmaphala. Sakkie’s muted guitar throughout the song compliments the subtle vocals from Mmaphala.
TLA KWANO makes you want to take a drive on a road trip with nothing really in mind. Picture a cloudy day with nothing much to do but just gazing into the horizon and thinking of your loved one, or better yet, taking that drive with them and holding hands. Saying nothing to each other. RE BATSWANA is a beautiful rendition of the famous local song. It sounds like an extension of the intro to the album where a Bossa Nova feel was fused with our traditional Setswana hand clap and ankle rattle. The song has strong patriotic messaging.
PELO starts with the traditional hand clap signature and sounds of the famous Segaba instrument. The vocals join in with an “Uwe Uwe” melody, taking you deep into the Kalahari with a strong Basarwa Tsutsube feel going on there. The song then hits you back into your seat like a car with a very powerful take off! A Neo-Soul sound comes in and Mmaphala makes her wish list about the things her heart desires.
LERATO has the most lively groove so far, it is a song that gives you the feeling of someone rising from the ashes of a relationship that did not end well. There are strong vibes from Katuta Kapenda and his guitar on this song. If you know Uncle Zakes you will feel his signature old school guitar on LALALAND. This sounds like a continuation of LERATO. After rising from the relationship things seem to be getting better with LALALAND.
Andrew Chinganga starts off with a sad saxophone intro beautifully layered with some warm yet sad pads from Lamech Ngwako on the song PAPA which is a tribute to Mmaphala’s late father. She takes us through her emotions as she celebrates his life and likens him to the sun, that his rays continue to shine in her life. The song ends with her ‘a mo robatsa sentle’, bidding him farewell, a soulful rendition of the hymn usually sung at our traditional funerals after laying a loved one to rest.
You shine bright like a star are words that we hear on MOSADI. This is a song written to women and it speaks about all the good things women are to life. A song very necessary for the times we live in where our mothers and sisters go through so much that we take them through re le bo rre. A great song one would want to play for their daughter. Beautiful backing by Mmaphala and her brother and producer, Grampa!
ZONED OUT takes us to swing and Uncle Zakes is back at it again, its a nice shift from the rest of the music. It is followed by ZONED OUT (Tshutshu) which is a Sakkie show with some awesome bass. The song is a feel good song which was one for the band really. A very soulful album, laid back and matured music for the particular ear. An album fit for any music enthusiast’s collection.
What appeals mostly to me about it is how it screams Botswana through its sound and use of the Setswana language! The Setswana music incorporation and fusion with other genres was simply pure genius. The musicians that worked on it showed so much maturity and versatility to blend well with the mellow harmonies of the backing vocals and gentle lead vocals from Mmaphala. I understand why this genre is termed “Setswana Soul”.
Mmaphala is a great music writer and composer. A versatile musician with a meticulous delivery. Her strength lies in the subtle harmonies, she sounds like someone who took her time to find her music pulse. Her music interpretation and story telling forces you to go through each and every emotion she went through as she did her music. She is a mellow and subtle musician, with a deep and heavy music feel and a story to tell to those with an ear.
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Thabiso Maretlwaneng certified Master in filmmaking
“IT’S TIME FOR US TO ARCHIVE BOTSWANA HISTORY INTO BIOPICS FILMS”
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Dr Lame Pusetso comes to writer’s rescue
Multi award winning author of fifteen (15) books, Dr Lame Pusetso has put together a platform to empower local writers. Dr Pusetso is a President and Chairperson of the Executive Board of Kasapa Society.
She is also the Managing Director of Poeticblood Publishers and an owner of an online bookstore dubbed Mind and Soul Bookstores. Dr Pusetso has reiterated her commitment to helping upcoming authors, writers and poets in establishing their crafts and capitalizing on them.
In an exclusive interview this week, she said that she has put together a platform dubbed Botswana Literature Awards, which have fourteen categories.
When quizzed on what the awards stand for, Dr Pusetso said “writing as a form of art in Botswana is a skill that many have and have always been exploring. As a publisher, I have met different writers from all walks of life and some indicating that there isn’t enough motivation to keep going.”
In Botswana and according to the writer, there has been a limited representation of appreciation of authors. This is despite their efforts year in year out.
The whole intention of these awards really is to honor and recognize the hard work that local authors put in, when doing what they know best (writing).
“This is a way of appreciating their creativity and we will be doing this across all genres. The awards also act as a motivational tool to young writers who still have dreams of becoming best selling authors. Quite frankly, their works are of great importance and we cannot afford to let that slide like that.”
Dr Pusetso emphasized that all the winners will walk away with an award, a certificate and complimentary gifts to take home. “The two winners of Best Overall Author and Best Young Author will in addition receive book publication deals which includes book distribution and marketing for a year.
She gave a clearer picture of how authors can be a part of the literature awards.
“The awards are open to every author from the age of 7, must be a Motswana, and their book should have been published before or by 2022. For authors with more than one book, they are allowed to compete with only one book for one category, and different books for different categories.”
The young writer pinned hope on institutional collaborations, in order to stage the second edition of the awards next year, saying “We believe with these awards, the different institutions and stakeholders will show interest in helping nurture the literature scenario in Botswana.”
“It will also give authors hope and light to keep writing and penning down their stories for the benefit of all. We anticipate to host the next edition in 2024 with assistance from all interested parties.”
THE LITERATURE AWARDS CATEGORIES
Dr Pusetso stressed that there are fourteen (14) categories, and they are: Religious or Faith Based Book, Poetry Book, Children’s Book, Multi-lingual Writer, Best Collaboration, Setswana Novel, English Novel, Motivational Book, Best Young Author (7-13), Overall Best Author, Best Theory, Best Online Writer, Best Media Writer (Honor Award) and Honor Award (Long Serving Best Author).
EXPLAINING SPECIAL AWARDS
Best Media and Honor Award, Dr Pusetso said are not based on submissions but nomination by the committee. “For Honor Award, we want to appreciate the individual who has inspired the Botswana writing scenario over the years and even assisted numerous authors as both a writer and a community leader.”
The Best Media Writer award is meant to appreciate a journalist who is actively taking part in appreciating and helping authors in marketing, advertising and affording them a platform to showcase their works through their writing skills.
Meanwhile, the Botswana Literature Awards will be held on the 29th April and they are partially sponsored through the literacy grant. This is a grant under the Botswana National Library Services which falls under the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sports and Culture.
WeekendLife
Women’s Awards hit the ground running
The second edition of the much-anticipated Women’s Awards Botswana will be going down on the 27th May 2023 in Gaborone at Travel Lodge. The organizers of the prestigious awards have announced finalists, with three nominees per category.
Women’s Awards Botswana is established to empower women and celebrate them from all walks of life and across sectors. The awards raise awareness for women to be granted equal participation, particularly in decision-making positions, as one way of breaking the gender bias.
They also seek to celebrate the outstanding achievements of women from diverse industries in Botswana. Taking a closer look at the categories, He for She award celebrates and shines a light on men who stand and support women.
These are men who advocate for inclusion of women, men who stand against GBV and men who promote any service that can better women life. Her Abilities award looks into women who have shown determination to keep moving and achieve any goal they have set for themselves, regardless of their disability.
Other awards are self-explanatory. They celebrate women in arts, culture and entertainment, agriculture, creativity, innovation and technology, tourism and hospitality, community impact as well as organization supporting women.
ORGANIZER SPEAKS ON CRITERIA USED
When speaking in an interview, Founder and Director of Women’s Awards Botswana, Bofelo Zebe, said in their first edition, they had fifteen categories, which was enough for a piloting project.
“But we left out many industries or lines of work. After the event, we received reviews and suggestions, and there was an intensive evaluation that led to us increasing the categories to eighteen for this second edition.”
He said the nominees were voted in by the public, adding that the finalists were judged by a panel with the support of votes from their supporters.
When shedding light on what winners take home, Zebe indicated that there is an award trophy, certificate and goodie bags for all categories but “we are working to have financial sponsors jump on board so that winners and nominees can receive monetary incentives. We are also busy at work trying to retain our previous sponsors.”
THE 2023 WOMEN’S AWARDS BOTSWANA NOMINEES
HE FOR SHE AWARD
Desmond Lunga, Tlhabo Kgosiemang and Christopher Seagateng
BEST WOMAN IN ARTS, CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT
Ditshupo Mosoboloko, Thanolo Keutlwile and Seneo Mabengano
HER ABILITIES AWARD
Koketso Seleke, Goabo Kgasa and Mumsie Odirile
SPORTS WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Naledi Marape, Ouname Mhotsha and Keamogetse Kenosi
WOMAN FASHION DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
Montle Rantatana, Lesedi Matlapeng and Trudy Bakwena
BEST WOMAN IN AGRICULTURE
Nomathemba Masuku, Basadi Molelekeng and Keolebogile Keabetswe
BEST WOMAN IN CREATIVITY, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Marang Mbaakanyi, Didintle Moreki and Thandeka Palai
BEST WOMAN IN TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY
Masego Keleadile, Wapula Matshambane and Tshepo Phokoje
YOUNG WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Bridget Gothaang, Waone Makobo and Kimberly Matheakgomo
WOMAN OWNED SME BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Suits Africa, Nomlu Nail Bar and Sunflower Desserts
BEST WOMAN OWNED BUSINESS
Prezlin Clothing and Dawn Bell Academy
FEMALE MUSIC ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Mpho Sebina, Dato Seiko and Priscilla K
BEST ORGANIZATION SUPPORTING WOMEN
Sekao Foundation, The Fighters Support Group and Single Mothers Living with HIV
BEST WOMAN WITH COMMUNITY IMPACT
Lebopo Bulayani, Nanzelela Chaitezvi and Kebadile Wasenda
MEDIA WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Poppy Sello, Keikantse Shumba and Kedi Lezozo
FAVOURITE PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Marang Selolwane, Palesa Molefe and Masi Sithole
BEST WOMAN IN LEADERSHIP
Naseem Lahri, Neo Bogatsu and Lily Rakorong