Overthrust Winter Metal Mania Festival is back
WeekendLife
The biggest Rock Music Festival in the country, OVERTHRUST WINTER METAL MANIA FEST is set for another big return this year. Held in Ghanzi every year, the event was started by Overthrust Rock Band in May 2010.
It was initially started as an ordinary annual rock festival and its main purpose was to bring all followers of rock music in one place to associate, unite and re-unite and have all local rock bands performing. The festival was first called Kgalagadi Desert Festival in 2010 but upon realizing that the name sounded similar to another brand it was changed in 2011 to Overthrust Winter Metal Mania Fest.
This festival is an annual National big charity Rock Music Festival held in winter either end of May or first week of June every year. It usually attracts various Rock Music Bands from all corners of Botswana and recently bands from outside are taking part in it, such include bands from Namibia, South Africa, Finland and other countries.
The 2017 theme is “Overthrust Winter Metal Mania Fest Ride and March against Poverty.” In June, 2012 Overthrust Winter Metal Mania Fest was incorporated in to a charity event so as to help people in need in the community but specializing in gathering and giving donations to orphans, the disabled and less privileged; giving them clothes, food and other necessities. The title: OVERTHRUST WINTER METAL MANIA FESTIVAL, remained in force. They liaised with S & CD-Social and Community Development Department and the community to help them identify those in need either registered with them or not.
Overthrust Winter Metal Mania Fest is developing into a bigger event each and every year. They are expecting an increase in the number of people attending in 2017. This festival has now turned into some sort of Rock music day, attracting international fans and metal bands such as from South Africa, Namibia, Europe and America. During this event different nations all over the world meet in one roof interacting, uniting as one, cultural exchange and speaking the same language and that’s Rock “N” Roll.
“During this festivals we have people coming from Southern Africa, Sweden, Finland, Asia, Americas and Europe mainly Journalists, videographers and fans and we highly appreciate their support and love,” said Vulture, one of the band members.
Some of the international bands that have participated in the event include Within Madness-Windhoek, Namibia in 2013 and 2014, Bleeding Spawn- Mpumalanga, South Africa in 2014, Demogoroth Satanum- Soweto, South Africa in 2015, Maximum Carnage- Pretoria, South Africa in 2015, Kirrotuaani- Tampere, Finland in 2015 and Adorned In Ash- Pretoria South Africa, 2016.
In 2015, the event was extended to Maun and titled: Overthrust Winter Mania Abolition Metal Fest The mini-show or tour done on first week of June after the major winter mania show is a show that officially closes the annual Overthrust winter metal mania fest. It started in June 2015 and it will continue as an annual show. This mini-event will spread to other places with time.
The event is becoming popular and grows bigger each year although they have no sponsors and their biggest challenge is sound system. Vulture said they need people who can buy their band a sound system to use at the annual event. “We dig from our pockets and contribute to finance the activities of this event, we ask for sponsors each year but to no avail, however that will not stop us from reaching our mission to help the needy children and orphans in the community,” he said.
This year the event will officially be opened by one of Ghanzi District Authorities and in 2016 it was officially opened by the Ghanzi District Commissioner L Porati.
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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