Mosadi Thari receives a standing ovation
WeekendLife
Beneath the illuminations of colourful lights masking the Maitisong Theatre stage, Botswana’s first Afro- Fusion and Contemporary Dance Group to perform in Broadway received yet another standing ovation when they staged ‘Mosadi Thari’ one of their recent plays that can be juxtaposed to their world class ‘PULA’.
An astonishing performance it was. Directed by Andrew Letso Kola Mosadi Thari is a play performed by a cohort of young women who spoke sternly on the kind of abuse women are subjected to. It is performed through serenading musical piece, charming the audience into a series of emotions that display the anguish, challenges and strength of a woman.
The play opened with a poetic piece lead by a lady called Mmakgosi Anita Tau, a local poet of note who take through the audience to what it means to be a woman. She describes a woman a pillar that carries nations. The musical piece that serenades took the audience to a wave of thrill, charging the atmosphere with a delight.
It is played by ladies arrayed on matching long dust pink dresses, the colour that emphasizes caring, compassion and love gave them a common beauty. Though masquerading together, the ladies show hate to one of them who landed herself a ring on her finger. The ladies around her began to spew hate words towards her, leaving her with frustrations that made her to condemn herself.
Common in our society, where women do not build each other, the play also took the audience through a scene where one of the ladies ride on top of other women on their backs, and though a shaking take place they began to scatter. Showing how women are not able to stand together when circumstances arise. A sound of a buzzing trumpet taking through the atmosphere encamps the scene with an African tone, bringing the ladies together into a delightful dance showing off their dance skills.
The next play opens by a young lady tied around a robe, which limited her from breaking free and moving within her freedom. This lady looks so tied up in so much anguish that her cry is heard piercing through the heart of many. Her scream carried torture with it that she is drowned in tears. A man holding drums, enters the scene, giving the drums few slaps which diverted us to the same lady tied in pain and anguish. The more he hit the drum the more pain is inflicted on her. He seemed to be raping her despite the pain she was in.
The giant in nature man deserts her and dishing her expressions of disregard and disrespect on the poor lady. She is left alone and still buried in so much pain. Moved by her anguish, other women come to her rescue, standing with her during a period of abuse. United and linked up with other women, she managed to gather strength to face her abuser who fled away from the wrath of the anguished woman.
A poem takes through the scene, likening a woman to a butterfly that goes through stages of life to accumulate its beauty and later carrying all splendours giving nature a striking beauty. The ladies, continue to dance through a soothing musical piece, they wear of their former clothes, taking in a new look which is more appealing and striking. They danced to the rhythm to what seemed to be a celebration. Closing the play they seemed to have worn off their pains and joined together in celebration.
The breath-taking production written by Andrew Letso Kola, is an all-women cast that transcends and sheds light on the day-to-day issues that affect women. The setting is of rural and urban Botswana, and the transition in between, which represents all aspects of womanhood.
Mosadi Thari challenges social ills, chronic diseases, mental health, physical and emotional abuse, rape, woman bias, women conflict and questions women empowerment.
Are women really the pillars of our nation? Are their voices heard when they boldly advocate for change or are they side-lined and told that they are emotional, bossy and illogical? Are women fighting for each other or are they conditioned to compete against each other? Will women ever have equal opportunities as men or will their strength and capabilities continuously be questioned?
The awe inspiring production aims to bring awareness and unity within our society to support women and break the cycle of reoccurring disadvantages for the betterment of women alive and those to come. Mosaid Thari is set to become one of the most relevant storylines that advocates for women.
WeekendLife
BOTSWANA TO HOST MISS WORLD 2026
Even though Botswana has over the years been performing extremely poorly at the Miss World competition, the country has confirmed that it will be hosting the beauty festival in 2026. Initially, the country was to host Miss World next year, something it failed to confirm before deadline. Director at Miss Botswana, Benjamin Raletsatsi, says Botswana will be ready then to host all participants. Miss Botswana Top 25 finalists left the boot camp yesterday. Quite shocking though, Miss Botswana team is still failing basics as responding to media inquiries on time yet it is dangerously hoping to host an event of high status
WeekendLife
DJ Sway ‘saved’ the YAMAs
DJ Sway, the daring and ambitious on-air presenter of Yarona FM, played a crucial role in saving the radio station’s music awards, known as the YAMAs. The event was initially dry and disorganized, but DJ Sway, who co-hosted with Pearl Thusi, injected life into the show. However, things took a turn for the worse when Pearl Thusi abruptly left the stage, leaving DJ Sway to carry on alone. Despite the unexpected setback, DJ Sway rose to the occasion and captivated the audience, effectively putting an end to the drama caused by Pearl Thusi.
In an exclusive interview after the YAMAs, DJ Sway revealed the behind-the-scenes chaos that unfolded during the event. He acknowledged the script editors, Phalana and Hope, who worked tirelessly to reedit the script and adapt it to a one-host format. Despite the last-minute changes, DJ Sway remained composed and focused, thanks to the support of his colleagues, such as Owen Rampha, Katlego Rakola, Tshepang Motsisi (DJ Easy), and LB.
When asked about his initial reaction to the unexpected turn of events, DJ Sway admitted to feeling saddened by how things ended. However, he credited Pearl Thusi for giving him a much-needed confidence boost during his moment of doubt. She reminded him that he was destined for greatness and that he didn’t need big stars to succeed. With her words of encouragement, DJ Sway regained his composure and approached the rest of the show with the same professionalism and charisma he displays on the radio.
To overcome the challenges he faced, DJ Sway relied on his radio skills and calm personality. He engaged with the audience as if he were speaking to a single person, pointing out individuals in the crowd to create a more intimate connection. He also expressed gratitude for his backstage team, who provided support and ensured the smooth running of the show.
DJ Sway expressed satisfaction in being seen as the saving grace of the YAMAs. He believed that he fulfilled his role as a host and brought joy to the Yarona FM board, his family, and his fans. Despite his success, DJ Sway’s journey has not been without hardships. He has experienced the loss of his mother and sister, which has left a lasting impact on him. While he continues to grieve, he seeks solace in therapy sessions and relies on his father for emotional support.
DJ Sway’s dedication to his craft and ability to overcome adversity make him a remarkable figure in the radio industry. His vibrant personality and deep knowledge of music have made him a perfect fit for Yarona FM. Despite the challenges he has faced, DJ Sway remains determined to make a positive impact and bring joy to his listeners. With his talent and resilience, there is no doubt that DJ Sway will continue to thrive in his career and leave a lasting legacy in the world of radio.
WeekendLife
Chef Gustos walk of shame
Chef Gustos, the renowned hitmaker, recently experienced what can only be described as a walk of shame at the 8th edition of the Yarona FM Music Awards (YAMAs). Despite being nominated a whopping seven times, he failed to secure a single win. Ouch!
The night was filled with surprises, drama, and controversy, but the biggest winner of the evening was Han C, who walked away with three awards, including Best Pop and Best Male Single for his hit song, “Sebinki.” Han C graciously announced that he would be donating P10,000 from his winnings to his fellow nominees, promoting a spirit of togetherness among artists. What a noble gesture!
Meanwhile, Chef Gustos found himself on the losing end of several categories, including People’s Choice Artist of the Year, which he had won in the past. He seemed unfazed by the loss, stating, “People know that ‘Away’ was big, but they won’t stop me.” It’s clear that Chef Gustos is determined to continue making music, regardless of the awards he receives.
However, he did express his frustration with the outcome, suggesting that the awards may be corrupt. He declined to comment further, citing the need to protect his brand and maintain good relationships with corporate clients. It’s understandable that he wants to avoid any potential damage to his future prospects.
In fact, Chef Gustos went so far as to request that Yarona FM not nominate him for future YAMAs. It seems he wants to distance himself from the disappointment and focus on his music without the pressure of awards. Perhaps this decision will allow him to create freely and without the burden of expectations.
While Chef Gustos may have experienced a walk of shame at the YAMAs, it’s important to remember that awards do not define an artist’s talent or success. His fans still appreciate his music, and he continues to have gigs with corporate clients. So, despite the disappointment, Chef Gustos remains optimistic about his future in the industry.
In the end, the YAMAs may have been a letdown for Chef Gustos, but he’s determined to keep moving forward. He won’t let a lack of awards dampen his spirits or hinder his creativity. And who knows, maybe next time he’ll come back stronger and prove that he’s deserving of recognition. After all, the true measure of an artist’s success lies in the hearts of their fans, not in shiny trophies.