GIMC awaits BET Award winner
WeekendLife
By Dave Baaitse
DJ Black Coffee born Nkosinathi Maphumulo scored a historic win at the 2016 BET Awards this past weekend becoming the first South African to win an award, Billboard points out. The South African house DJ and producer took home the award for Best International Act Africa beating fellow South Africans AKA and Cassper Nyovest.
Although a regular in Botswana, this time around his next performance is eagerly awaited by many, especially after winning the prestigious BET award.
He will be gracing the stage at the national stadium when he plays at the third edition of the Gaborone International Music and Culture week in September. Prior to winning the award Black Coffee has been a very busy man, being booked mostly in Europe and the United States.
GIMC will avail a rare opportunity for the nation to embrace this award winning music producer and DJ. In the past 2 years of existence the GIMC has proven to uphold international standards as reflected by its choice of artists. The weeklong festivity has other international acts to look forward to like the legendary, iconic Jonathan Butler for Jazz, Lebo Mashile for poetry as well as Salvado, Trevor Gumbi and Lihle Lindzay for Comedy.
They are offering a huge platform for local acts to harness and share from the selected international artists. This is an event not to be missed, with only 58 days left to the event starting on 27th to 3rd September. Preparations at a 100%, It’s a date.
Africa.com and African Association of Cultural Festivals has listed GIMC as one of the top 10 festivals to attend in Africa. The list of other festivals is very impressive and for GIMC to have made it into this list in only its 3rd year of being is remarkable. The list includes well known and old festivals like Lake of Stars in Malawi, Bush Fire in Swaziland, HIFA in Zimbabwe, Cape Town Jazz Festival in South Africa, OppiKoppi in Limpopo South Africa, Festal in Lagos Nigeria, Vic Falls Carnival in Vic Falls, Zimbabwe, and Festival Mawazine in Rabbat Morocco. Some of these festivals are over 15 years old and for GIMC to have cracked into the top 10 within such a short space of time is amazing and commendable.
GIMC organizer Fish Pabalinga says the 2016 show has listed 50 artists to perform in recognition of Botswana’s Golden Jubilee. This Year is a special one and GIMC has pulled all stops to showcase how far our music and arts industry has come. A new edition to the 2016 suite of events is Theatre which will be introduced for the first time and what better way to introduce it than with Botswana best actors in Donald Molosi and Tefo Paya acting Blue, Black and White and Morwa Rising respectively.
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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

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.

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.