Bokani Dyer leads GIMC Jazz pack
WeekendLife
Botswana talent export to South Africa, Bokani Dyer will be making his maiden appearance at one of Africa’s biggest music and culture festivals, Gaborone International Music and Culture (GIMC) festival which starts September 1st through September 8 in Gaborone.
The Cape Town based Dyer is the son of legendary musician, Steve Dyer. Botswana bred, he has schooled in one of the best schools in the country, Maruapula School. He currently enjoys a flourishing music career in Cape Town, South Africa. As his name implies, he has strong Botswana roots; Bokani is an Ikalanga word that means “give thanks”. He was born to a Motswana mother and Dyer a saxophonist, who was then a refugee in this country. It seems the musical bone has been passed on from father to son; his joint band with his father is called The Dyer Tribe which last performed in Gaborone at Botswana Craft on the 9th of August 2013.
Bokani will perform among a cohort at the 5th GIMC which will be headlind by Philadelphia born Taalib Johnson who goes by the name, MUSIQ SOULCHILD. The show will be held at Molapo Stanbic Piazza. Sereetsi and the Natives will also perform. Bokani is one of South Africa’s leading jazz pianists, having played at both the country’s biggest jazz events being Standard Bank Joy of Jazz and Africa’s grandest gathering, The Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) with an international line-up of top artists, and an exciting mix of home- grown talent.
He has recorded two albums under his own name; his debut album was released in 2010 and it provides a strong indication of the style and artistic trajectory he continues to pursue. His next offering was in 2011 titled Emancipating The Story which was made possible by the Standard Bank as part of the jazz young artist award. He took first prize in the SAMRO Overseas Scholarship Competition in August 2013.
2014 saw Bokani enjoying a sold out tour of Europe, performing in Germany, Switzerland, Prague and London. He is currently involved as a producer on upcoming albums- prolific afro- Latin percussionist, John Hassen and talented singer- song writer, Lana Crowster’s debut EP. Three years since his last release Bokani is currently in production of two solo albums to be released simultaneously later this year.
“Critics have remarked on his expressive style and skills which they say goes beyond his years and are creative in a wide array of jazz idioms” (Sunday Times). GIMC has previously hosted Grammy Award Winning artists from USA in the likes of Kirk Whalum, Jonathan Butler, as well as top comedians like Mr Ibu from Nigeria, Black Coffee, Cassper Nyovest, DJ Fresh just to name a few. The event has grown from strength to strength and has featured any and all top artists in Botswana.
GIMC 2018 has listed 50 artists covering the entire music and arts genre, a commendable feat that is welcome in local arts. However the event organizers said more artists are expected to be revealed including South Africa’s Master KG who has a large following in Botswana.
GIMC will kick start on September 1 with Musiq Soulchild, Sereetsi and The Natives, Samantha Mogwe, Bokani Dyer Trio, Motlha performances and will be preceded by the Champagne Picnic, Theatre, Poetry, Choral, Comedy and Festival.
Pabalinga said the festival venue of the 2018 event will be announced in due course as there are ongoing negotiations regarding the use of the National Stadium for music festivals. He however is very optimistic that he will get the venue since all the due diligence has been made regarding the process of acquiring the venue and payments have been made.
WeekendLife
Creatives taking over 2023
Creativity is seen everywhere and these individuals did something recently that’s never been done before, and some are still killing it. We see creativity on streaming platforms, stages, runways, social media and boardrooms even. Some of them are revamping their businesses, and lately, clothing sale is thriving.
They love concept-driven designs, storytelling and they bring fresh ideas and new perspectives that will leave footprints in the sand. Post the COVID-19 pandemic, these creative minds utilized the drawing board and they became cognizant that monetizing content will actually take them far, which is frank nonetheless.
This is commendable though, but the creative industry will still need support from government in order for it to flourish further. Allocation of resources (funds, facilities and empowerment) should be done consistently, creativity must be raised and at the end of the day, the economy benefits from that kind of investment.
HAN C
Ever since he parted ways with his former manager, DJ Bougee Sid, Mahalapye born-pint sized, multi-award-winning artist, Hanceford Magapatona has been taking up space, unapologetically so. Han C has shown a strong will to take over the entire world, and he is in the right direction. He’s solely organizing the annual Mahalapye Spring Festival, which is taking place next weekend.
The Pepetetsa hitmaker raked some monies from his savings to put together this event. Mahalapye Spring Festival will feature Paige, Ubuntu Band, Khoisan, Amantle Brown and Double Up among others. Even though it didn’t come as a surprise, Han C was nominated at African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) in the US, under Best Male Southern Africa category.
However, the award was snatched by the late South African rapper, AKA. Its not all lost as Han C secured two nominations at the Yarona FM Music Awards (YAMAs): People’s Choice of the Year and Best Male Single.
KOKETSO MOTSWAGOLE
This entrepreneur has turned his dreams into reality, and his promising apparel business is now a fashion destination. Matter of fact, Motswagole weathered the storms to be where he is now because through criticism and social media bullying, he still leads the pack in fashion.
His social media accounts got deleted but through his online store, KM Sales, Motswagole is able to rake in some profits. He initially started selling from his car but now owns a busy store and has employed a number of young people.
KM Sales has been offering fashionable items (shoes, t-shirts, pants) and has been participating in various lifestyle events such as Garden of Drip where it showcases its products.
If there is one young entrepreneur to draw motivation from is Koketso. The business started from humble beginnings, at the time when he worked part time at Ipelegeng as a casual labor. Indeed, good things come to those who wait, or well, work like a slave today, live like a king tomorrow.
KAGISO LUDO DE KLERK
Vee Mampeezy’s ex-wife Kagiso De Klerk clearly did not sit and weep over their dramatic divorce. The famous social media influencer hurriedly picked up the pieces and went hard on promoting business online. She literally took social media influencing to the head and it is working for her.
This year saw her partnership with Shell reach greater heights, and obviously, she is raking lot of pulas from the deal. Kagiso has been making frequent appearances in top events in South Africa such as Bubbles in Spring and Gold and Diamond Experience.
GAONA DINTWE
After a long break from the limelight, renowned media and radio personality, Gaona Dintwe is back. She was missed by many on TV, and she’s back where she belongs, news anchoring on BTV. Gaona has also found a niche in podcasting. She is a host of her own podcast, Gaona Live Conversation, where various people share their stories on camera.
Some of what they discuss is Gender Based Violence (GBV), polygamy and drug addiction. This is highly commendable because even BTV doesn’t have programs that discuss these crucial social issues. The Lentswelemoruti native is also seen in various corporate events where she is engaged as a host.
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DITIRO LEERO ONE MAN SHOW ON THE PIPELINE
Now that one-man shows are made fashionable, traditional dance guru and ex-convict, Ditiro Leero is joining the crusade and he will be hosting his also. The show will be held next month at Zone 4 Farm in Selokolela, but the there are traditional dance music artists who have been lined up to perform at the show. Matshana, Morwa Leka and Maswailathota will be doing their thing and probably bring some heat too. Ditiro Leero will be making history as the first traditional artist to host a one-man show in Botswana.
WeekendLife
MISS BOTSWANA HAVING MANY IRONS IN THE FIRE
With only two months before Miss World 2023, the reigning Miss Botswana, Lesego Chombo is having many irons in the fire, preparing for the much-anticipated beauty pageant. Miss World 2023 will be the 71st edition of Miss World pageant and it will be held in India. Chombo has been spotted toning her body at Jack’s gym, a requirement that is taken seriously at the pageant. She has also been participating in charity events, something that should add to her profile at the Miss World.