#Tlatsalebala: 8000 tickets sold so far
WeekendLife
Behind the #TLATSALEBALA organizing is a brutal war of egos between promoter’s artist’s managers and creative industry entrepreneurs. Whilst the public has given all the goodwill to the #TLATSALEBALA concept and the public has not withheld any grain of good will, behind the scenes its an ugly scenario.
The #TLATSALEBALA management has a choice of explaining themselves to artist who are expected to be a part and bold font of the concept. It is not raining but pouring as the question of whether this is a charity or business event refuses to depart from the lips of musicians, their managers and promoters alike. Behind the scenes, it is ugly from toe to hair.
#TLATSALEBALA management says the line up of 06th May 2017 at the National stadium now stands at 62 artists. This is on the backdrop of some artists demanding commercial contracts. #TLATSALEBALA management team is unable to furnish those required to perform at the vent with contract because they have ruled out the idea of paying artists.
Before Kast went out for a 1000km walk in raising awareness for the event, almost all the artists were prepared to do it for free. What made matters worse is that the understanding was that he is walking to raise the BWP 200, 000.00 needed for the venue and appropriate logistics.
This scenario literally turned upside down when the chairman of Botswana National Sports Council, Solly Reikeletseng, announced on his Facebook page that the BNSC has resolved to sponsor #TLATSALEBALA to a tune of BWP 200,000.00 to cover he venue and associated venue logistics. Though this was meant to show the commitment of the Honourable Thapelo Olopeng’s ministry in supporting and growing local arts, it has come back to be a painful offer already accepted.
Some artists are now questioning why they should perform for free. Artists are positing that Kast wants to pursue slavery in making them work hard for free. It appears, somehow along the line, the #TLATSALEBALA management team, in accepting the many gifts, money and offers in support of the event during the 1000km walk, they then began to pursue the event as a charity exercise. This is the confusion that that the sponsors, well wishers, donors and ticket buyers do not know about.
It has come out blazingly clear that when Batswana reacted to Casper Nyovest’ connotation that he does not know Kast and asking who Kast was, Batswana went in to defend and uphold the status of national patriotism. The artists also wanted and possibly, still want to prove themselves that they can fill the stadium. But with an environment of creative arts that is naturally so, by form and format filled with competition of who is best on stage, in good will and in making money, the #TLATSALEBALA concept has become a monopoly of bruising egos.
#TLATSALEBALA management team is behind all the fracas. From the conversations, it appears Kast is not even aware why there is animosity by artists towards his initiative. The artists expected to take part are asking why they should perform for free, pledge their support, their names, and their backing crews for a show that will only benefit the #TLATSALEBALA management team. It is being argued behind the scenes that Kast will not necessarily make money out this initiative.
The only trophy that he will be taking home is that of being bold, courageous, walked 1000km and filled up the stadium and the cash will remain with those behind the scenes, the #TLATSALEBALA management team. Names of those cashing on the initiatives have been passed to this publication and Kast’s name does not appear on the list.
Reached for comment on this matter, Resego Matenge, well known as Leshman who is also the owner and Manger of Leshman Holdings and a manager and partner to Charma Gal, he rubbished the #TLATSALEBALA concept as having lost meaning. He insists that” the whole thing has become opportunistic”. Matenge, is of a strong view that they are not taking part on the #TLATSALEBALA as they haven’t received an invite “from the initial failed event where we were not on the line up and the current one which is presented as a charity event though grossly commercial”.
Matenge lamented that when the whole concept began, Charma Gal was on hype through the ‘sekuta’ album yet was never approached to fill the stadium. That Charma Gal is currently dominating the airwaves and public spaces through ‘mmokolodi’ and is still not invited goes on to show that, only artists who are willing to perform for free due to their hunger of stage presence are targeted. Matenge persist that “the issue of performing for free is not ours, we have a business to take care of and we are fully booked on top of having our own schedule and if they want us for our show they must in monetary terms give us a reason for abandoning our plans”.
When quizzed by this publication as to why they can’t just do it for free if approached to be a part of the line, Charma Gal’s manager and live in boyfriend fired that, “we have 12 employees doing backing vocals and backline, they don’t know if they can perform for free, we have transport that has to be monetarily catered for and our rehearsal venues that are not charitable especially for a profitable event”.
What is taking centre stage is the backstage fracas is that the original concept from Casper Nyovest to fill up the ‘dome’ was not charitable. It was of a reputable and crowd pulling line up. The assertion at backstage is that the #TLATSALEBALA concept of Botswana is rather about only benefiting a few individuals and hence different from Casper Nyovest who never asked for free shows.
What is coming across is that the artists are willing to support each other without cost only if it is an album launch and nothing more. It is also becoming increasingly clear that a lot of artists feel that they are being asked to be a part of an event they don’t understand as questions they ask range from not knowing why Kast walked 100km and they posit that to this day he never explained to them why they or he should walk 1000km to fill up the stadium.
MASSIE HULE COMMENTS ON #TLATSA LEBALA
“I am part of the crew that deals with artists and as far as I know there is no artist who has refused to perform at #Tlatsa Lebala. Everyone here was pledging, no one is paid a penny. We implored a first come first serve strategy and we gave prominence to the first line- up before the event was postponed,” said Hule.
While commenting on Charma Gal and Drama Boi not being part of the line- up, Hule said they had communicated their engagements with the organising team. However he revealed that Charma Gal had earlier served them a quotation, something that showed that she wanted to be paid for her services. “She should understand that this is not about individuality, this is a national project,” he said.
Currently they have a line- up of about 62 artists and more are calling to render their services but according to Hule, considering the 16 hours time frame they have, they can’t include everyone. He said that the last time he checked into tickets sales was two weeks back and they stood at eight thousand, he however added that they are optimistic that they will fill up the stadium.
WeekendLife
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
WeekendLife
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.
WeekendLife
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.