Son of the Soil 2017: ‘Kwa re go yang- Re Kgabile’
WeekendLife
Time to sit and reminisce about the past is now when the fun thrilled annual Son of The Soil (SOTS) returns on the weekend of the 25th February, 2017, with the theme ‘Kwa re go yang – Re Kgabile’.
The sub-theme for the 2017 event ‘Re Kgabile’ is meant to celebrate the centrality of dress to important events in Botswana culture. The organisers of the event said this year they will be celebrating the different traditional dresses and current national dress styles. This is especially important in helping address the question of a national dress for Botswana. “As Bana ba Mmala we especially connect with the Setswana go kgaba, as it speaks to the process in Setswana culture when a people would take time off to cut sebilo soil to use as makeup.
The overarching theme for SOTS in the period 2015 to 2024 events is ‘Kwa re go yang’ which is meant to show that culture will be one of the pillars for national development, as the organisers strongly believe that development must be anchored on a strong national identity.
The sub- theme works whether one casts it as meaning the present (We are Well Dressed) or as meaning the future (We Will be Well Dressed). Either way it portrays the same meaning of the right dress for the right occasion being central to a Motswana’s identity.
There are specific dresses to reflect celebrations, mourning periods, work, leisure and age sets. It speaks to the need to go back and rediscover the national dress. This is a dress that may be more fitting for the type of weather, a dress that helps us in rediscovering our national pride. It is a dress that helps with easy identification of a Motswana in a Globally Connected World.
Bana ba Mmala believe all the events that they will be holding during SOTS 2017 and all the various venues, that is, the workshop, the relaxed Friday evening and the main event on Saturday, present a great opportunity for their sponsors to deliver their messages and also demonstrate their love for the people of this country by showcasing their support for the Botswana way of life. Son of the Soil is targeted at the young and upwardly mobile urban dweller who wants to keep in touch or reconnect with their culture.
Both the Main Event and the Pitsong Workshop will be used to investigate, identify and celebrate the tribal and national dresses of Botswana. The two events will also aim to demonstrate the evolution from historical to futuristic cultural dress in Botswana. The event continues to attract media attention and organisers always make it a point to ensure they move it around venues in Gaborone, so as to spread the promotional value of the event.
The 2017 event will be held at the Serokolwane Lawns in the Oodi- Matebeleng area. Those attending the event may wish to also familiarise themselves with the rich history of the Oodi Matebeleng area. Given sensitivities around the environment in general, the organisers of ‘Son of the Soil’ commit to making sure there is very little impact by the event on the environment around the venue.
“We want to assure our sponsors that we have held this event at venues that are environmentally sensitive such as Mokolodi Nature Reserve and Notwane river area and to date we have never had neither the authorities nor our hosting partners give any negative feedback on the impact of the event on the environment”, Pontsho Pusoetsile, one of the event organisers explained.
He indicated that SOTS 2017 will be a two-day event on the weekend of the Main Event. They will additionally have the Pitsong Workshop on the Friday of the week before the main event, so that it may get the publicity it deserves. The Workshop continues to produce a lot of material demonstrating how far they have gone in terms of continually keeping the Setswana culture current and relevant.
The plan started off with a cultural workshop yesterday (Friday 17th February) during the day. The Pitsong Workshop targets the organisers of similar events from across the country to come and learn from cultural and traditional leaders on how culture can best be preserved. Bana ba Mmala are very proud of the leadership role that Son of the Soil cultural event has been building in the cultural preservation space and they want to continue to grow this area nationally.
The Pitsong Workshop will also be taken as another building block on top of the research that they have been conducting annually on cultural themes and publishing in a booklet format. On the evening of Friday 24th February they will invite patrons to a relaxed session of mainane, maboko, song and dance. This Friday evening session, which is known as Metswaisong Evening Chillas, will be held at the same venue as the main event. The event is targeted at those that wish to get up close and personal with Setswana culture.
Activities for the Metswaisong Evening Chillas are targeted at making one feel a reconnection with their culture or leave one feeling a new found admiration for Setswana culture and its many nuances. Bana ba Mmala highlighted that they have had challenges with some of their patrons not buying into the entry conditions of the event.
This year they clarified that the entry conditions are put in place to protect the brand that is SOTS. This event is used by sponsors and promoters of cultural tourism in Botswana to promote the Botswana culture globally. It would as such be self- defeating to have pictures and videos of the event full of cooler boxes, western type drinks and mixed dress, they contended.
The argument is that, if people are allowed to do as they please, they will leave the sponsors and promoters of cultural tourism with nothing to sell. “On the part of our patrons as well, SOTS has become a family event, so getting rid of the entry conditions could take away the child friendly elements to the event.
So as Bana ba Mmala we believe the entry conditions to SOTS should continue to be enforced, to ensure our sponsors, Botswana tourism promoters and our Event Details for SOTS 2017 Page 7 patrons continue to benefit from a product that is easy to predict and is geared at the whole family”, reads a statement from SOTS.
Bana ba Mmala has become a part of Gaborone calendar in the 13 years it has been running. The traditional themed dress code of the event has also encouraged a growth area in the fashion industry. This trend has of late been visible in the sudden modernisation of the leteitse among the young and upwardly mobile members of society. They have also seen a rise in the exploration of letlalo (leather) among the male attendees. As Bana ba Mmala we are very proud of this little contribution that we have made to the Botswana national dress and we hope to continue to lead in other areas with help from our sponsors”, said Pusoetsile.
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DJ Sway ‘saved’ the YAMAs
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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!
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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.