It’s a Joyous Celebration
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Co-founder of South African gospel choir Joyous Celebration, Lindelani Mkhize this week revealed that the group’s next month performance in Botswana might open a door for local gospel artists to work with the renowned group.
Not only will the gospel fest establish relationships with the local gospel industry, there is hope, according to Mkhize to make it an annual one. “When we say relationship we are also looking into working with talent from Botswana. We would like to see if there is really enough talent. We will also need to work with local stakeholders such as the Ministry of Youth. So Batswana will definitely be given a chance,” he said.
Mkhize was in the country this week Thursday where he confirmed the event to the media at a press conference organized by Brave Heart who also organized the concert. He told the media that preparations for the show, slated for August 25 at the University Of Botswana Indoor Sport Arena were on and that the group was excited to be performing in the country yet again. “We are looking forward for the event and we promise the best. The event is will be more than life changing. This is a show not to be missed. We will definitely deliver,” he said.
Mkhize is one of the three founders of the mega group, which has cemented itself as among the best in that country and perhaps the continent. The other founders are gospel producers, Jabu Hlongwane, and Mthunzi Namba. The choir usually compromises 30-35 singers and a 6-12 piece band. Most singers stay in the choir for 1-5 years, while some longer. Previous singers include the likes of Ntokozo Mbambo, Sechaba and Mahalia Buchanan. The choir does not only train singers but also train them on how to carry themselves as gospel musicians.
According to Mkhize, their performance will leave Batswana yearning for more, “We will give Batswana the best performance ever. I urge Batswana to come in large numbers to witness what we have in stock for them. They will never regret coming out for this concert.”
The Managing Director of Braveheart, Joseph Diane Manuel, who will be the host of the event, explained that their partnership with joyous celebration was the beginning of the new things.
“Our partnership with Joyous is taking off from now on. We are starting and this will be an annual event and the event will grow bigger and bigger,” he said. He further explained that the minute they announced sales of tickets, already they sold 1500 and right now 3 000 tickets have been sold.
Manuel explained that the concert will change many lives. “This is a life changing concert and we will not be allowing alcohol inside the UB Indoor Sport Centre. We want our young people to experience great pleasure without indulging in alcohol and substances,” he said.
Although he said that there will be local supporting acts, he did not reveal their names, saying it was a surprise. Tickets are available on Web tickets and in all Spars around the country. Tickets will not be sold at the entrance. Gold tickets sell for P400 while Silver tickets sell for P300.
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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.