Access TV: A breath of fresh air
WeekendLife
A new privately owned television station is making waves. It has been hardly two months since Access TV has been in operation but so far the producers are bringing cutting edge programming which speaks to the ordinary young Motswana.
The TV channel is off to its humble begins. A visit to the office cum studio revealed a work in progress-surprisingly though, every program is shot in the almost empty office. The studio is the size of a normal office and is filled with various back drop boards, and they are changed with every shoot.
The office is so far equipped with two sets of computers, with some of the employees working on laptops and sharing the same desk. For them it is about making their dream a reality. Oblivious to Weekend Life’s presence during the tour one of the producers is lost in his work on his laptop.
Various shows produced at the newly set up studio were instant hits with viewers. From the newly aired comedy show to a blind date show, a youth talk show and a cooking show, the fresh programming has been well received.
In an interview with co-founder Gabatsoswe Mogapi, he revealed that Access TV was conceived between him and his partner Thatayaone Gumede a little over a year ago.
Between them there are some 13 years of experience in the TV industry, and when discussing the idea then, their greatest hurdle was finance, something they later decided to disregard when they resolved to just plunge ahead and make their dream a reality.
Access TV is an all self-sponsored venture, when they started the channel late in May; the duo had tried to source sponsorship from various investors, government included.
However, with time against them, they decided to take the first steps without the required sponsorship 5 months later than they had anticipated. “We had originally wanted to go on air in January but we were delayed, because we had not had the received feedback with regards to finances, but we didn’t want to wait any longer. We decided that we should just start and if investors come in, they will find us having taken the first steps.”
“Had we waited for financing, this would not be happening as we speak,” he said.
Although the station has been in operation for close to seven weeks now, it has since aired about 7 programs, all of which are in house productions. “We introduce a new program with each week. Our normal programming though runs from 6pm to 10 pm, its baby steps and that will change with time.”
The youthful former eBotswana producer was however quick to clarify that they are not a music channel. “We play a lot of music during the day until normal programming starts at 6pm. We are still trying to develop more content and with time, as our finances improve we will be able to increase our programs. People have to understand that due to budget constraints we are not yet able to bring them the movies, dramas and other programming, they should bear with us.”
The response according to Mogapi has been overwhelming. “I didn’t expect so much response from all over. It has been good, people are appreciative of the fact that we are in our start up days.”
The channel according to him is not only a Botswana channel. “We are airing as far as some parts of Europe, and in Sub-Saharan Africa as well.”
The free-to-air channel is available for users who own various decoder boxes and can be accessed by searching it on them.
While people have been appreciative of the channel, Mogapi told Weekend Life that they have been inundated with questions about whether the channel is on DSTV which is used by many Batswana.
“DSTV is a box owned by someone obviously and if you search for Access TV on it, it will go under the public bouquet, and people can get it on any other decoder, be it philibao or any other which uses satellite frequencies,” he clarified.
Mogapi and Gumede met at eBotswana where they both worked, Mogapi having been there for three years while Gumede had worked there for some ten years. “We want to air local content. If our programming could at least be 80:20 of local content versus foreign content,” Mogapi noted.
“We hope that soon we will divert from airing in-house programs and can be able to have local producers bringing in content for us to air, but that is another money issue and our hope is that investors listen to us and see the potential we see in our own. Government cannot do it alone, we took the first steps hoping that potential sponsors can realise that we can change the employment scenario as well as the entertainment and broadcast industries locally,” said Mogapi.
Access TV is on Facebook and can also be tracked online through its YouTube page AccessTVBW.
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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.