Lauri Kubuitsile to launch her intimate novel ‘The Scattering’
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Botswana’s award winning writer, Lauri Kubuitsile’s latest publication is a historical novel centred on the German-Herero War and the resulting genocide. The Scattering is a moving and intimate novel providing a fascinating glimpse into the indomitability of the human spirit.
The story traces the fates of two remarkable women whose paths cross after each has suffered the devastation and dislocation of war. The story is set against the backdrop of Southern Africa’s colonial wars at the dawn of the twentieth century.
The book is to be launched in Maun on the 29th June, 2016, at the Maun Public Library. The launch is being organized in conjunction with the poetry group, Poetavango. There will be a reading from the book by Kubuitsile. She will also sign the book for her fans.
The evening’s programme will include performances by vocalist, Katini; as well as poets, Charles Kakomee and Jame Mutenge in Otjiherero. The author will also be in conversation with Uaisako Marenga about her new book. The guest speaker is Library and Information worker (specializing in research documentation), Bobana Badisang. Books will be on sale on the day and are available from Exclusive Books and Amazon.
There will be a second launch at The National Assembly in Windhoek, Namibia on the 20th of July.
“When I set out to write this book, I thought about how horrible tragedies like war are often given to us in numbers. Up to 100,000 Herero people died during the war and the purposeful genocide that followed. The mortality rate in the concentration camps was between 45 to 75%, with 12 to18 people dying every day. Only about a thousand Herero people made it to Botswana. These are numbers and they are tragic, but it’s easy for numbers to flow over your head without impacting your heart. You feel war and tragedy in your heart when it is brought down to the individual life. That’s what I wanted,” said Kubuitsile said.
According to the renowned author, when she was writing the book, she also had in mind books like Chimamanda Adichie’s Half of a Yellow Sun, which is about the Biafran War, and Aminatta Forna’s book, Memory of Love, about the war in Sierra Leone. Both novels made war real through individual stories and not through battle plans and statistics on causalities. “I wanted to create a novel like that,” she said.
The Scattering was also chosen to form part of Exclusive Books promotion for Africa Day, which took place on 25 May.
Kubuitsile is an award winning writer living in Mahalapye. She is, among others, a two-time winner of The Golden Baobab Prize for children’s literature, the winner of the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture’s Botswerere Prize for Creative Writing, and was shortlisted for the 2011 Caine Prize. She has numerous published books for children, teens, and adults. Her most recent is the children’s book,Thato Lekoko: Superhero (Oxford University Press SA). Her book The Fatal Payout, a detective novella, is read in junior secondary schools in Botswana, while her children’s books Curse of the Gold Coins (Vivlia) and The Second Worst Thing (OUPSA) were approved by South Africa’s Ministry of Education (CAPS approved) and are read by grade 7 students.
Her short stories and essays have been published around the world in literary magazines, trade magazines, and anthologies including Mslexia, The New Internationalist, Karavan, New Contrast, and Jungle Jim only to mention a few. Her work has been translated and published in Swedish, Slovakian, and French. The Scattering is Lauri’s first full-length adult literary novel.
“Kubuitsile has crafted an ambitious, powerful and poignant historical novel that brings to live a very important period.” – Tendai Huchu, author of The Hairdresser of Harare.
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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.