Dacity: Hip-hop’s new kid on the block
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Prior to 2017, the name Dacity was not known, well at least throughout the country. It is February 2018, and for some time now, we have been bobbing our heads to his hit “Jungle Dance” which is enjoying sufficient airplay on local radio stations, particularly youthful radio station, Yarona FM.
Born Onalethata Calvin Molatlhegi, the rapper, songwriter and producer has been dreaming about making music since his primary days. Born in a family of three, he being the youngest-he was brought up by strict parents who wanted for all their children to focus on school, graduate and get a good paying job. To this day, his father, an electrical technician with a local security company does not understand why his son would want to choose music over “a decent job”.
The 28 year old rapper graduated in Architecture Technology from The Nelson Mandela University in South Africa. Upon completion of his studies, he returned home and was persuaded to get a job which he eventually quit after six months to focus on music. “I got a job with an architectural firm. It was just about the time a radio station had found my song and had played it and called me into studio. When I showed up at the studio, I walked in like a pro- I took it so seriously, I had a camera crew with me and was wearing my t-shirt brand. I stunned the show presenters as well. I decided thereafter that as much as I loved creating through architecture, music was my life and I had to give up the job so I could manage my own time and grow as an artist,” he revealed to WeekendLife.
To him though, it is as if music is his calling. “I hid the fact that I was making music away from the rest of my family for a very long time. I would wake up at night to go and sit at my computer to work on my music, but any other day I was doing my school projects,” he says, the entire time he has his hands on the boardroom table where the interview is taking place, making circular motions, as if trying to draw up the sequence with which things happened.
“One night my mother woke up and knocked at my door, I had my headphones on so I did not hear anything. The next thing she was in my room and she found me making my beats, when she asked me what I was doing, I lied and said I was designing a building. She believed me for that moment, but she and my sister would watch me closely and worked together until they discovered I had been secretly making music.”
His mother, who works for Domestic Services at the University of Botswana has since made peace with her son’s decision and supports his endeavours. “From an early age my mom tried to keep me away from hip-hop. She instead put me in church choirs to keep me busy. But now she is okay with my decision. I know my father means well too, he is just worried as you would expect any parent. Music isn’t what they (parents) exactly would refer to as a career.”
“I quit music…”
But music is hard and it has not always been an easy journey. At some point, after years of trying to get his big break, Dacity decided to stop writing altogether. “At the time I was trying to break into the industry, HHP was the biggest thing in Hip-Hop. My cousin took me to Mudhut Productions, and I went to various studios. They told me I was good, but I had to sound like HHP- I was young and all I saw were people trying to dim my star.”
He continues: “I just wanted to pack all of that away and try out a new normal life. My girlfriend had left me and I kept thinking I should get a job and make money so I get her back.” However, a “friend” who also wrote music intervened and encouraged him to go back to making music. For some time they sent each other their stuff, which he believes the friend has since archived. “He probably has stacks of my songs with him. He uplifted me and gave me hope that I would make it,” he highlighted.
Gunning for the sky
The Gaborone born artist, who describes himself as a creator wants nothing less than to portray how we live and document life through music. He has an Extended Play record (E.P) Green available on various streaming and download platforms, and the Afro-hop single, “Jungle Dance,” in which he features Nigerian, Bobby Majest, he is currently working on an album and is on a mission to redefine Hip Hop in the local scene. “Jungle Dance” is currently on Yarona FM’s Top 40 and also enjoys airplay on RB2, Gabz FM and plays occasionally on Duma FM.
He wants to use his music to inspire and change lives, and hopes to meet like minded people with the same as energy as his, to work with and hopefully change the local hip hop scene. The artist is hoping to create November Fest (derived from his birthday which is November 1st.) The concert will be for like-minded local hip-hop artists who share in his vision. He envisions a growing music industry, but he says that can only happen once “the greed” dies off. “A lot of people are in music for the fame and wealth; they all think it is about ‘me’but it should not be like that, we need to work together as artists.”
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Thabiso Maretlwaneng certified Master in filmmaking
“IT’S TIME FOR US TO ARCHIVE BOTSWANA HISTORY INTO BIOPICS FILMSâ€
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Dr Lame Pusetso comes to writer’s rescue
Multi award winning author of fifteen (15) books, Dr Lame Pusetso has put together a platform to empower local writers. Dr Pusetso is a President and Chairperson of the Executive Board of Kasapa Society.
She is also the Managing Director of Poeticblood Publishers and an owner of an online bookstore dubbed Mind and Soul Bookstores. Dr Pusetso has reiterated her commitment to helping upcoming authors, writers and poets in establishing their crafts and capitalizing on them.
In an exclusive interview this week, she said that she has put together a platform dubbed Botswana Literature Awards, which have fourteen categories.
When quizzed on what the awards stand for, Dr Pusetso said “writing as a form of art in Botswana is a skill that many have and have always been exploring. As a publisher, I have met different writers from all walks of life and some indicating that there isn’t enough motivation to keep going.â€
In Botswana and according to the writer, there has been a limited representation of appreciation of authors. This is despite their efforts year in year out.
The whole intention of these awards really is to honor and recognize the hard work that local authors put in, when doing what they know best (writing).
“This is a way of appreciating their creativity and we will be doing this across all genres. The awards also act as a motivational tool to young writers who still have dreams of becoming best selling authors. Quite frankly, their works are of great importance and we cannot afford to let that slide like that.â€
Dr Pusetso emphasized that all the winners will walk away with an award, a certificate and complimentary gifts to take home. “The two winners of Best Overall Author and Best Young Author will in addition receive book publication deals which includes book distribution and marketing for a year.
She gave a clearer picture of how authors can be a part of the literature awards.
“The awards are open to every author from the age of 7, must be a Motswana, and their book should have been published before or by 2022. For authors with more than one book, they are allowed to compete with only one book for one category, and different books for different categories.â€
The young writer pinned hope on institutional collaborations, in order to stage the second edition of the awards next year, saying “We believe with these awards, the different institutions and stakeholders will show interest in helping nurture the literature scenario in Botswana.â€
“It will also give authors hope and light to keep writing and penning down their stories for the benefit of all. We anticipate to host the next edition in 2024 with assistance from all interested parties.â€
THE LITERATURE AWARDS CATEGORIES
Dr Pusetso stressed that there are fourteen (14) categories, and they are: Religious or Faith Based Book, Poetry Book, Children’s Book, Multi-lingual Writer, Best Collaboration, Setswana Novel, English Novel, Motivational Book, Best Young Author (7-13), Overall Best Author, Best Theory, Best Online Writer, Best Media Writer (Honor Award) and Honor Award (Long Serving Best Author).
EXPLAINING SPECIAL AWARDS
Best Media and Honor Award, Dr Pusetso said are not based on submissions but nomination by the committee. “For Honor Award, we want to appreciate the individual who has inspired the Botswana writing scenario over the years and even assisted numerous authors as both a writer and a community leader.â€
The Best Media Writer award is meant to appreciate a journalist who is actively taking part in appreciating and helping authors in marketing, advertising and affording them a platform to showcase their works through their writing skills.
Meanwhile, the Botswana Literature Awards will be held on the 29th April and they are partially sponsored through the literacy grant. This is a grant under the Botswana National Library Services which falls under the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sports and Culture.
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Women’s Awards hit the ground running
The second edition of the much-anticipated Women’s Awards Botswana will be going down on the 27th May 2023 in Gaborone at Travel Lodge. The organizers of the prestigious awards have announced finalists, with three nominees per category.
Women’s Awards Botswana is established to empower women and celebrate them from all walks of life and across sectors. The awards raise awareness for women to be granted equal participation, particularly in decision-making positions, as one way of breaking the gender bias.
They also seek to celebrate the outstanding achievements of women from diverse industries in Botswana. Taking a closer look at the categories, He for She award celebrates and shines a light on men who stand and support women.
These are men who advocate for inclusion of women, men who stand against GBV and men who promote any service that can better women life. Her Abilities award looks into women who have shown determination to keep moving and achieve any goal they have set for themselves, regardless of their disability.
Other awards are self-explanatory. They celebrate women in arts, culture and entertainment, agriculture, creativity, innovation and technology, tourism and hospitality, community impact as well as organization supporting women.
ORGANIZER SPEAKS ON CRITERIA USED
When speaking in an interview, Founder and Director of Women’s Awards Botswana, Bofelo Zebe, said in their first edition, they had fifteen categories, which was enough for a piloting project.
“But we left out many industries or lines of work. After the event, we received reviews and suggestions, and there was an intensive evaluation that led to us increasing the categories to eighteen for this second edition.â€
He said the nominees were voted in by the public, adding that the finalists were judged by a panel with the support of votes from their supporters.
When shedding light on what winners take home, Zebe indicated that there is an award trophy, certificate and goodie bags for all categories but “we are working to have financial sponsors jump on board so that winners and nominees can receive monetary incentives. We are also busy at work trying to retain our previous sponsors.â€
THE 2023 WOMEN’S AWARDS BOTSWANA NOMINEES
HE FOR SHE AWARD
Desmond Lunga, Tlhabo Kgosiemang and Christopher Seagateng
BEST WOMAN IN ARTS, CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT
Ditshupo Mosoboloko, Thanolo Keutlwile and Seneo Mabengano
HER ABILITIES AWARD
Koketso Seleke, Goabo Kgasa and Mumsie Odirile
SPORTS WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Naledi Marape, Ouname Mhotsha and Keamogetse Kenosi
WOMAN FASHION DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
Montle Rantatana, Lesedi Matlapeng and Trudy Bakwena
BEST WOMAN IN AGRICULTURE
Nomathemba Masuku, Basadi Molelekeng and Keolebogile Keabetswe
BEST WOMAN IN CREATIVITY, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Marang Mbaakanyi, Didintle Moreki and Thandeka Palai
BEST WOMAN IN TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY
Masego Keleadile, Wapula Matshambane and Tshepo Phokoje
YOUNG WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Bridget Gothaang, Waone Makobo and Kimberly Matheakgomo
WOMAN OWNED SME BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Suits Africa, Nomlu Nail Bar and Sunflower Desserts
BEST WOMAN OWNED BUSINESS
Prezlin Clothing and Dawn Bell Academy
FEMALE MUSIC ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Mpho Sebina, Dato Seiko and Priscilla K
BEST ORGANIZATION SUPPORTING WOMEN
Sekao Foundation, The Fighters Support Group and Single Mothers Living with HIV
BEST WOMAN WITH COMMUNITY IMPACT
Lebopo Bulayani, Nanzelela Chaitezvi and Kebadile Wasenda
MEDIA WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Poppy Sello, Keikantse Shumba and Kedi Lezozo
FAVOURITE PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Marang Selolwane, Palesa Molefe and Masi Sithole
BEST WOMAN IN LEADERSHIP
Naseem Lahri, Neo Bogatsu and Lily Rakorong