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First BOGMA awards slated for August

This week the first Botswana Gospel Music Awards (BOGMA) slated for August were launched. Endorsed by Botswana Musicians Union (BOMU), the awards are slated for August 4th 2018 at a venue to be announced. The inaugural awards are the brainchild of Phildah Masogo, a visionary who has a dream for the creative industry.

While addressing the media on Wednesday, Masogo said her dream is to see the music industry in Botswana grow. Masogo is of the view that there is a need for separate awards that only cater for gospel music. “We are not taking anyone for granted, we believe in unity,” she said. She emphasized that the idea is to have quality music that will represent Botswana outside. She said as gospel artists they are God’s ambassadors thus they preach the gospel everywhere they go.

So far, they have engaged renowned production houses from across Southern Africa and they will also be making partnerships across the continent. “As gospel musicians, we refuse to be hidden anymore,” she reiterated. Masogo is also the chairperson of Botswana Gospel Music Association.

While speaking to the media the event promoter Gilbert PP Seagile said they have media partners such as Kresy 24 who have pledged P1 million and will be streaming the awards ceremony Live on the day. Also South Africa’s in Lehurutshe based Kopanong FM pledged P200, 000 sponsorship in the form of advertising. The station will also broadcast the awards Live. Further, the station will pay the venue cost and will sponsor the best artist of the night with P20, 000. The idea is for Kopanong FM to mobilise South Africa’s North West province to acknowledge the awards and attend.

Current BOMU President Pagson Ntsie said they are happy as BOMU to be endorsing the Botswana Gospel Music Awards as BOMU will be celebrating their 10th year anniversary. Ntsie said the move to host BOGMA has always been eminent because of the growth and diversity of gospel music. The President also took the opportunity to warn artists to desist from alcohol and drug abuse saying that that tarnishes the good name of the industry. He also encouraged them to be active in social media and interact with their fans.

“A report carried by Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA) has shown that music contributes enormously to the GDP.” He also said this industry is meant to change the lives of artists. He indicated that local artists are frustrated and desperate because government is not giving them support.

Gaborone North legislator Haskins Nkaigwa encouraged artists to preach unity among the body of Christ. He said Christians have the power to have things done themselves. “Exercise your rights and live life with records,” he encouraged. He told them to take gospel music to another level and encouraged them not to sleep. He said the music industry has the capacity to finance the national budget. Nkaigwa also took the opportunity to pledge P 5, 000 towards the awards. The awards have been categorized in 5 groups and registration started this week Wednesday.   

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WeekendLife

BOTSWANA TO HOST MISS WORLD 2026

6th December 2023

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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WeekendLife

DJ Sway ‘saved’ the YAMAs

22nd November 2023

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

22nd November 2023

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.

 

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