Prins, Monate Aromat to rock Ftown
WeekendLife
One of South Africa’s breakthrough comedians for 2016/17, Prins Virgil is set to headline the 4th Annual Francistown Comedy & Poetry Night alongside Zimbabawean Clive Chigubu and Francistown’s very own Monate Aromat.
The event, billed for the night of October 27 at Adansonia Hotel promises fits of laughter and poetic rhythm s selection of acclaimed poets will also perform that night. The audience will get to enjoy a variety of comedy from local and as well as foreign acts while also enjoying poetic narratives and sound plays from poets. Prins won several comedy competitions, including the Jokenation International Comedy Competition which led to performances at the Montreux International Comedy Festival in Switzerland, Swaziland International Comedy Festival and the Busan International Comedy Festival in South Korea.
In 2016 Prins was nominated for 2 Savanna Comics Choice Awards, going on to win the Breakthrough Act of the year Award. Prins has produced 3 successful collaboration shows at the National Arts Festival and is currently touring his first one man show ‘Unnecessary’. His comedy material has been described as innovative, playful and funny for the whole family, naughty but nice, transcending gender, race, culture, religion and international borders.
Local act, Augustus “Monate Aromat” Phillimon from Francistown and Phenyo "The Master" Phaladi will also perform. Aromat is a thoughtful and aware comic with innovative punchlines which made him scoop 3rd position at the 2017 President Day Comedy Competitions. His funny, imaginative routines and good-humored jibes are perfect for any audience and for any event. Aromat is one of the most fearlessly funny comics working today, having organized monthly comedy events in Francistown. ‘The Master’ is definitely one of the funniest and most active comedians to come out of Botswana. The show will also feature Desire Itani and Maruza from Francistown who bring clean, high energy, fun and clever comedy.
As a sign of continual growth and spicing up the lineup, Major Moves Comedy has roped in two Zimbabweans, Clive Chigubu and Ntando Van Moyo. Clive who was a hit at the 4th and 5th Annual Heavyweight International Comedy Festival (HICOFEST) will be making his debut performance in Francistown. A raw gem from the City of Kings and Queens, he is one of the stand-up comedians that always stand out wherever he performs. The Bulawayo-born and bred actor-cum-comedian has been nominated more than once for a National Arts Merit Award. It is his catchphrase “Ye Ye-e”, which has become his trademark and a hit with audiences.
The 3rd Annual Francistown Comedy & Poetry Night will also feature up and coming comedians and poets from Francistown and surrounding areas to share the stage with the headliners. “This event is another way to develop a different and alternative form of leisure for Francistown residents as well as try to get the poets and comedians at par with two international acts. This is the fourth edition and we are collaborating with Francistown based companies and exploring ways of getting the talent to shine. Currently Aromat will be coming to perform in Gaborone and going to South Africa and we would like to see more Francistown comedians and poets perform at faraway places such as Maun, Kasane and internationally,” said events coordinator for Major Moves Comedy Gaolathe Kediemetse.
“We are excited to be hosting the fresh international comedians in Francistown. Our main aim really is to see standup comedy growing in Botswana as part of mainstream entertainment. We also want to contribute positively to lives of the comedians who can be able to make a living off comedy like elsewhere in the world. Francistown Comedy & Poetry Night offers such a platform for local comedians as in most cases they collaborate with invited comics who invite them to their countries, for example, Ntando van Moyo has availed his Umahlekisa Comedy Club in Bulawayo," he added. The venue sponsor is Adansonia Hotel and tickets for the event are available at Webtickets & Spar outlets priced from P150 single and P200 double. The show starts at 730pm.
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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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
“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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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