Vusi My Lattie, That Was a Lekker Show? Thank you Braveheart
WeekendLife
Thank you Windrush PR But Above All, Many Thanks to Liberty Life
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim! I walked into Molapo Stanbic Piazza last weekend, having been given two complementary tickets that I had also given away to two friends who desperately wanted to attend the Vusi Live show. That meant I had to part with a monetary gift I had received from a friend to purchase tickets for my entry, together with that of a friend into the show. Upon entry, it immediately became very clear that I had spent my money for a purposeful intent.
The show not only was characterised by a fantastically dressed audience, decency but the set up was also of great immaculacy. With the VIP section clearly visible as thus, right in front of the stage, and barricaded neatly.
One could tell that it was not a night of the rag tags. Rag tags usually have a tendency to after imbibing their ones and twos gain the unwanted strength to intrude the space they have not paid for. None of such incident occurred. Possibly because the security was fit for the day, but also because the environment was set up in a manner that showed and reminded everyone of their rightful space at the table.
The sound was crispy clear, and eye entertaining. You could tell that upon setting the sound, the idea was not just the volume but more importantly the quality. We still have a problem with shows that are characterised by poor sound yet this very ‘item’ of the night; sound, is very primary to the event. Rave Heart, Windrush PR and Liberty had set their sound from Friday morning yet the show was only Saturday evening. This planning in time ensures that the hosts ae able to check the sound, set and reset it, get all the needed accessories, test them, buy, rent where possible and be fully satisfied that they will not embarrass themselves on the night of the show.
Lightning was also set up from Friday morning, tested Friday night and used Saturday night. It correlated with the sound, Vusi’s wardrobe, mood of the songs and the decency of the audience. It was not disco lightning set up for a Gospel show as I have seen in other Gospel shows where one could tell that the lightning technician was not briefed that ‘’….rara….we are setting up for a Gospel show…”….! This is another area that I am hopeful that creative industry players, particularly promoters have learnt as they attended the show.
I had the advantage of having a chat with Mr. Hans Rooseboom of Eventpro Technical Service, a South African based company that was brought in to share the expertise on the part of lighting, sound and stage setting. A humble gentlemen who was above all mesmerised by the decency of Batswana. Though my conversation with him was about how he sees the Botswana Creative Industry, he was clearly over whelmed by the reception, love and embrace he got from Batswana on a two day visit he had been around.
He parted with me still expressing that it was astonishing that Batswana still greeted everyone they meet even strangers with such love and affection as if they know each other from somewhere. Knowing me, I then took him through the important elements of Botswana culture that make us a different from the rest of the clowns!…well….he understood me…I hope the reader also understands whom I was referring to…!…gape kene keipankanyetsa gore hakele kakwa, arotloetse bo morwa rragwe gore bantshware ka matsetseleko wabona…!…
On stage Vusi did not only present the new him, he had with him his new music, refreshing, soothing and Godly than ever before. Brave Heart and Windrush PR had ensured that Vusi’s wardrobe represented the show, the audience and the music. This is that part of the creative industry that managers and administrators of the creative industry often leave to the artists to sort out. And it usually ends up terribly bad as we often see gospel artists dressed for a rock concert. One could tell that for this show, Vusi ensured the right clothes, right colours and right fit. He did not look like he was putting on clothes owned as a result of a grandfather passing away as it is regularly the case with our local gospel guys. I guess this made the job of his make-up artist very easy. And for that I will say, less money for the make-up artist and more money for the wardrobe coordinator…hahahahahaha!
I must also not forget to mention that the choice of venue also ensured that not only ample parking space but surety of security was awesome. Quite often we attend shows were despite the promoters aware that they will sell more than enough tickets, continue to greedily chose venues where one has to walk a kilometre or more after parking their car to gain entrance into the show. This walking is mostly on heavy dust, upon entering the show, one’s shoes will not be visible due to dust covering them all over; a sore sight if you ask me. But alas, we have been made to be used to this that we seldom complain except from jokingly talking about it in the morning, largely on social sites.
Those who imbibe more than their memories can permit get a huge surprise in the morning when they see their shoes in dust. That’s when they begin to retrace their last night’s journey of entertainment. Yes, we do have friends who never plan to end up at any show but simply find themselves there, or worse enough, hear that they have been there. It is some form of magic never to be understood by the young ones. Surely this is not what Brave Heart, Windrush PR and Liberty Life had wanted anyone to go through when they chose the venue. A beautiful lesson that must be learnt from the Vusi Live show by our local promoters is that; those willing to spend their money prefer some form of decency. And their money must be acquired through providing them with the same decency they envisage.
And by the way, before I forget, the many Creative Industry faces that I saw and met that night said it all; that it was a show we have all been waiting for. It was of great interest to me that our local promoters amongst the audience were witnessing and experiencing that a show ought to be thoroughly planned for.
These Ladies and Gentlemen of the Industry have already been thanked in many other platforms but let me also express my gratitude to them as appropriate; Shabba Kgotlaetsho, Seabelo Modibe, Massie Hule, Moxx Gaolape, Johnson Otlaadisa, Bofelo Segotso and many others whom I have not mentioned due to my memory lapse and well, because this space could be filled up with only names, and also possibly because, lenna kene katsena modieemong! Once more, thank you Braveheart, Windrush and Liberty Life. Allahur Akbar!
The Journey Continues,
Rasina Winfred Rasina
Email: rwwrasina@gmail.com
Mobile: +267 71886794
Facebook Page: Rasina Winfred Winnie Rasina
Twitter: @Rasina_W_Rasina
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.