Diamonds alive
WeekendLife
Photographer Aldo Brincat’s fifty striking portraits, selected from a larger on- going initiative were displayed at the launch of Diamonds Alive, Celebrating Botswana at 50, a project aimed at appreciating men and women who have captured the imagination of Botswana over the past fifty years.
The project was launched by Tshekedi Khama, the Minister of Wildlife, Environment and Tourism at Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC) on Wednesday night this past week.
The photos will feature in a coffee table book which will be launched in September this year. The contributors range from politicians such as Ketumile Masire who was the second President of Botswana as well as Gaositwe Chiepe who was at the helm of various Ministries during her time, as well as athletes and artists. The photos tell the story of Botswana and what it has achieved in the last 50 years.
Officiating at the launch Minister Khama applauded Brincat’s thinking and said the noble idea couldn’t have come at a better time. He said when the idea was first presented to him he had no idea who the people featured were until he recognised Ketumile Masire photographed seated behind the sculpture of men and a cow displayed at the University of Botswana. He immediately didn’t think twice about supporting the idea.
“We must not reject our forefathers and mothers, they are the nation builders”, he said.
Tshekedi said the country’s forefathers have made immerse milestones and further urged every Motswana to commit to making milestones “so that we can have more milestones”.
Tshekedi Khama was also revealed as the Patron of the project.
In music, the project features artists like award winning rapper Zeus who has made a lot of strides from winning a Channel O music award to being nominated at the Africa Musik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA). It also features poet Berry Heart who has travelled across the world representing Botswana as well as music director David Slatter.
The event is supported and sponsored by Blue Star Diamonds Botswana. While commenting on the project the Blue Star Botswana Managing Director (name) said they are very pleased to be partnering with the Diamond Alive Botswana at 50 project team to deliver and showcase a thrilling array of photographs that tells the story of Botswana and its immense growth over the last 50 years. The group also celebrates its 50th year in the diamond business this year.
Captured words of the featured legends:
Gaositwe Chiepe
“When Aldo asked me to pose for this project, I was in two minds as to where I wanted to pose. As a veteran of this country, you can imagine that I have seen and done a bit! I think if I must narrow it down to my most recent favourite moments, I must say, that travelling to Tigerkloof in South Africa, (my old Alma Marta), to have a wing of the school, named after me. Such a delight. Anyway, so I decided to be photographed in front of Orapa House having opened the building back in 1976, it holds a special place in my heart as the design is so inventive.”
Michael Dingake
“I like to help out where ever I see good being done. This kind of personality got me 17 years in Robben Island with Nelson Mandela! So in a way, my life has been one of incarceration, politics and writing books. It all seems like another life to me really”.
Michael Moforaga
“I am the Chief of Palapye now, something I thought I will never say. As a young man I witnessed the relocation of the original village, over the railway line which ran from Gaborone to Bulawayo, to where it sits today. Back then, there were perhaps a dozen households. Palapye today, is a dynamic thriving town, full of young people with great ideas. Back in 1976, I was a teacher and our school had very few amenities”.
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.