South African C.I.A Records signs Jojo
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Traditional music songbird Rejoice ‘Jojo’ Gaonakala has been signed under South Africa’s C.I.A Music records. News surfaced this week that Jojo and the record label founder, Siya Ngcangca would soon sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) that might also see her relocate to South Africa soon.
Albeit being signed under Ngcangca’s record label, the Mmadinare singer will still remain under the management of Gilbert Promotions. Confirming the news of her signing, Gilbert PP Seagile said the move was perfect for Jojo’s growth as an artist. “It is true that she has been signed in South Africa, we do not want to limit her. She is still young and we want her to explore beyond borders and be elevated as much as can be,” he said.
PP told WeekendLife that the deal is done and they are only waiting for Ngcangca who is still on a business trip overseas to return so they can sign the rest of the documents. The contract between the parties has already been signed and the MoA is the only one pending. PP however clarified that Jojo’s production will be done in Botswana while her new record company will handle mostly the marketing.
CIA MUSIC was founded by Ngcangca in 2009 and since then only supported artists without signing them or keeping them in the record label. Its strategy has changed in 2017 and it is now fully participating by signing and releasing classics after classics and competes with the best of the best. Joj’s star rose in 2016 after releasing her album titled Borra Setori. Her first album Mpatiseng was a major success, she topped charts and travelled beyond borders sharing stages with the best and everyone almost forgot she had only one album under her belt released in 2013.
In her 2016 offering Jojo was confident and told the media that she was now targeting the international market and eagerly promised she has worked really hard to give her fans the best. This was a new development in the traditional music that caters for the new generation. The album which was long finished last in September 2015 was officially released on 5th March 2018. It has already secured a management and distribution deal in South Africa under a company called Kincha Media and TTT (The Talent Team) music which works mostly with BBC and manages cultural artists across South Africa.
The Mpatiseng hit maker performed in Lilongwe in 2014 in a series of shows with fans amounting to more than forty thousand. While big names from the South African music industry were dropped because they could not attend due to the State funeral of former president Nelson Mandela, Jojo shared the stage with more than thirty African renowned artists including among others Black Missionaries, a reggae band from Burkina Faso.
South Africans are well known for their love of Botswana traditional music which enjoys much airplay with Motsweding FM, one of the most listened to radio stations in the country. The station has so far exposed most of our local artists including among others Culture Spears, Shumba Ratshega and Jojo who were introduced to the station by the late Cebo Clement CC Manyapelo during his days while still steering his morning drive show.
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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.