Selonyana rejoins Culture Spears
WeekendLife
One of the founding members of the once mighty Culture Spears Jelinah Mokgwatlheng aka Selonyana has this week confirmed to WeekendLife that she is back with the group after completing her solo project. This is after speculations became rife that she has returned to the group following their performance in Sowa town over the weekend. Mokgwatlheng pulled a surprise stunt on show attendees who were evidently over the moon as they could not stop chanting her name.
The group which was started more than a decade ago in Kasane was started by four founding members being Kabelo Mogwe, Magdeline ‘Charma Gal’ Lesolebe, Thembeni ‘Ramozara’ Ramosetheng, and Mokgwatlheng. The group soon shot to stardom and became a favourite, not only locally but in the region and abroad. The group would soon break up, with the founding members going their separate ways, save for Mogwe, who recently divorced the face of the group, Charma Gal who has since pursued a solo career.
While speaking to this publication Mogwe expressed delight at the eminent reunion of the group they founded in their youth. He said he is very optimistic the group is on the verge of reunion even though it might take a while. He believes that the founding members have only gone away to record their solo projects but will ultimately return to the group. He confirmed that according to their documents, all the members are still part of the group. “People have been accusing me, saying that I expelled them but I’m happy she came back on her own,” he said.
Further, he said that Selonyana’s return will strengthen the group, as witnessed over the past weekend. Mogwe has never hidden his wishes of the group reunion- he believes that despite everything that has transpired over the years, there is still a possibility of them working together as a group again.
As for Selonyana, who recorded her solo project in 2015 in Gantsi where she is currently based, she felt that the time to return to the group is now. She reiterated that she was never called back to rejoin the group but decided on her own that she shoul come back to the group that gave her exposure to the world of music. She said her departure from the group back then was compelled by among other things the burning desire to record her own solo project and misunderstandings arising from distribution of funds among group members. She however verified that she has a sensitive headache condition that also led to her break from music for a while.
“I wish we could all come back together as the team that started Culture Spears and just pick where we left off,” said Selonyana. Since their fallout that left only Mogwe struggling with the group, their fans across the sphere have been calling for their re- union. They took to social media and created pages that called on all members who have left the group to return home. A few months ago a throwback picture of Kabelo Mogwe and Thembeni Ramosetlheng was shared on the group facebook page, something that uncovered the healing wounds on the hearts of the fans who still want to see them work together. Fans reacted to the picture with mixed feelings that showed a lot of desperation to finally see them together in song and dance.
Since their break-up the group only managed to release only one album which did not do quite good. On the other hand Charma Gal who decided to go solo became a huge success in a totally different genre, a fusion of Kwaito and Kwasa- Kwasa. She continued to fly her own kite taking home award after award and she became a brand name that is associated with everyone from the streets to the corporate world. Meanwhile Ramozara was struggling to make end meets with his own solo project which didn’t do well due to lack of marketing and amid lack of financial resources.
At the time of their demise in 2014 Culture Spears were darlings of the nation and were at the top of their game. A small group that appeared from nowhere in 2004 went on to bag many awards and won many hearts; they were a perfect match and complemented each other in many ways. Their music had the power to evoke deep primal feelings at the core of the shared human experience, it did not only cross cultures, it also reaches deep into evolutionary past. Incorporated in the modern day tempo, Culture Spears’ music looked even brighter than any other traditional group of their time.
Their reunion will signal nothing but the resurrection of local traditional music genre and crème de la crème of the traditional song and dance. Theirs is more likely to take off as compared to other groups who have lost all hope of reuniting. Their detractors point out that their return to working together as a stable could yield and rebrand them as the continent’s favourite at this critical time when the genre is facing a decline.
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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.