Mma T talks up Women
WeekendLife
The increasingly liberal Mahalapye East longtime politician and present Minister of Local Government, Botlogile Tshireletso has advocated for more enhanced women rights.
Tshireletso, who has dominated the top of her region’s politics for so long, said in a Women’s Day interview with this publication that while many constitutional changes have been made to take in women’s rights, statuses and societal standing, their marginal representation in the national assembly continues to muffle their opinion in the highly male dominated legislative theatre.
Tshireletso said that rampant pre-natal clinical depression should also be met with abortion since it endangers the life of an expectant woman. She highlighted that when love affairs turn sour and male partners abdicate their responsibility, expectant female partners often break down, slide into anxiety and eventually clinical depression.
She therefore said that there should be targeted provision of women friendly medical facilities where they can seek help and in the instance the situation persists, the termination of a pregnancy can then be recommended since it endangers the life of the expectant mother as well as risks deteriorating their socio-economic standing.
The open-minded chairperson of the Parliamentary caucus on women continued to say that this move can assist tackle the scourge where women abandon fetuses and newly born babies out of desperation, which she says it internationally blemishes the image of the small republic as much as it compromises the lives of expectant mothers through their use of illegal back alley abortion clinics.
She also said that the gender of hermaphrodite or intersexual individuals should be correctly determined in the formative years as it has many a time caused them trouble in the latter years of their lives.
“This is a new Botswana and not the Botswana of old so we should move with the world.” Tshireletso countered before continuing, “It seriously needs our attention”
She said that their sexless status should be out rightly stated in their Identification papers to eliminate a never ending cloud that hangs over their gender as well the trauma and embarrassment that they would endure when they seek services in the government departments. She also continued to say that before societal acceptance there has to be recognition and the institution of government is a perfectly placed institution that can chart such a course for society.
Tshireletso also urged women to take up political careers and ‘swarm’ parliament and council’s as female-centered opinions and ideas do not necessarily resonate with their male counterparts in legislative positions. She also said that the time has come for the Parliament of Botswana to start exploring the idea that it can reserve a section of seats for women as is the case far afield in foreign countries to reduce gender disparity. She also said that the Parliamentary caucus for women which she leads will also actively take up issues such as the criminalisation of ‘marital rape.’
Tshireletso is also known a longtime advocate for the decriminalisation of homosexuality and the practice of safe abortion to stem the runaway maternal deaths which result from unsafe backstreet abortion.
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.