Ancestor to remember El Negro
WeekendLife
Slated for March 6, a concert dubbed ‘Ancestor’ will be staged at Gaborone’s Culture Art Café. Ancestor will remember a fallen hero who is dear amongst the African community after his body was taken to be exhibited at some museum in France and his body dubbed El Negro has since been repatriated.
Ancestor is in commemoration of the 190th anniversary since a Motlhaping man’s body, supposedly a King, was exhumed from his grave in 1829 and his corpse taken to Europe to exhibit in a museum to amuse Europeans who had never seen a Black man before.
Now known to the world as “El Negro”, the man’s remains were brought back to Botswana in 2000 for burial at Tsholofelo Park in Gaborone.
About the final resting place for El Negro, Letlhogonolo Moremi who is the event organiser explained to WeekendLife that Ancestor is timely for Botswana because it provides a platform to introspect in a concrete way about identity.“The story of this Motlhaping king is a prime example of how we continue to devalue ourselves, our willingness as a nation to accept a few bones and bury them in what has now become a vandalized grave which is no different from any wild patch. It is a reflection of the value we place on ourselves,” he said.
Award winning actor, Donald Molosi, whose name has lately become synonymous with the Upright African Movement that seeks to teach African history in African schools said:
“I am excited to be collaborating with such committed artists who are curious about our roots. It has been 190 years since that Motlhaping-KhoiSan man was stuffed and made into a trophy animal. We may not have been there in 1829 but we must honor this elder.” “This March, myself and other artists like Raymond Geofrey, Bayani Moilwa, Kitso Selatwa and Skit share Ancestor in acknowledgement of that man’s inalienable worth and dignity as a human being despite what colonisers tried to do,” he added.
Molosi emphasises that the absence of this story from the still colonial curriculum in Botswana is a disservice to a younger generation seeking stories of their people. “I also hope that one day we will also stop calling him El Negro and at least name him after his totem, for dignity’s sake,” he said. Molosi’s latest book, Dear Upright African was released this February 28 and it is a manifesto calling for African history to be taught in the African classroom.
The first half of Ancestor comprises solely of an exhibition of noted photographer and stylist Raymond Geofrey’s latest images exploring Africa’s old and new rituals. Geofrey’s principal model in the series of images, is award winning actor Donald Molosi. Molosi’s recorded voice, reading a passage from Dear Upright African about El Negro, will be the soundtrack to Geofrey’s portraiture on March 6th to contextualize the photography installation in a specific story.
“Styling and photography always seek to represent feelings, culture and history. We are making art for now. Black people are rising up. For instance, the makgabe fringe is now a big thing and so on. In this show we are opening conversation about all that,” Geofrey said.
Entrance into the Ancestor: A Concert-Exhibition costs P100 before the event, and P120 at the event. Tickets are available for sale. Contact 74138981, @eminentgrey on twitter/Instagram or inbox the DM Creative Brands pages on social media.
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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
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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.
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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.