My Maun Experience back with 4th edition
WeekendLife
The observation and general feel is that over the years the majority of Batswana tend to prioritize places such as Sun City & Cape Town (RSA) as well as Walvis Bay & Swakopmund (Namibia) as their Tourism holiday destinations of choice over local destinations such as Maun, Kasane, the Okavango Delta and Chobe more especially during the festive break.
While a lot of people decry lack of entertainment as the cause and further, others simply want to stay around Gaborone to avoid missing out on the annual Back to Skul party, ‘My Maun Experience’ organisers are working around the clock enthuse people’s festive moods to the smell of a totally different breeze.
My Maun Experience’ strategy is to woo visitors, especially the youth, to Maun through a series of events and to take advantage of coincidental complimentary events that are organized by other promoters. They organize tourism activities such as Boat Cruising, Horseback safaris, Camel Riding, game drives, Mokoro trips, helicopter rides and scenic flights for the visitors, once they are in Maun.
The 3rd Annual ‘My Maun Experience Breakfast Run’ will also take place this year. This is a 12 km race which starts at 0700 hrs in the morning and as usual the prize giving will be held over breakfast at Maun Lodge. The participation of Jerry Motsau (RSA) and Nigel Amos in last year’s race sparked a lot of interest from their colleagues and training partners in South Africa. More international runners are expected to partake at this year’s event.
The 2nd Annual ‘My Maun Experience Mountain Bike Race’ will this year be 50 km and not 30 km like the last edition. The first edition of the race had only attracted Maun local riders due to late advertising. This was because a decision had been made to shelve the event due to lack of funds. It was only after sponsorship funds for prize winners were secured in December that all preparations were revived, leaving organisers with just two weeks to prepare and stage the race.
This year’s event will however be advertised well on time and more riders will also be attracted through word of mouth.
In January 2016 as a way of appreciation and welcoming the New Year the ‘Wine, Whiskey and Food Festival – THE SAFARI AFFAIR’ will be hosted. This is a “Safari themed” day event, which will also be used as a farewell party for visitors where they will be given a taste of the best in wine and whiskey together with our local food (tswii, Fish, Game meat, Ndeba and some traditional music brew) music and culture.
The dress code theme of the day is safari wear and it will be supported by different uniforms of the Safari companies operating around Maun including air chatters, Hotels, mobile Safaris, Camps, Travel Agencies and Tour operators. The patrons of this event are; Hon Tawana Moremi, Hon Kosta Markus, Lawrence Lecha, Tops Ledimo and is brought to you by Dose Mosimanyane of DOC entertainment and Bissau Gaobakwe of 63 Entertainment.
WeekendLife
Creatives taking over 2023
Creativity is seen everywhere and these individuals did something recently that’s never been done before, and some are still killing it. We see creativity on streaming platforms, stages, runways, social media and boardrooms even. Some of them are revamping their businesses, and lately, clothing sale is thriving.
They love concept-driven designs, storytelling and they bring fresh ideas and new perspectives that will leave footprints in the sand. Post the COVID-19 pandemic, these creative minds utilized the drawing board and they became cognizant that monetizing content will actually take them far, which is frank nonetheless.
This is commendable though, but the creative industry will still need support from government in order for it to flourish further. Allocation of resources (funds, facilities and empowerment) should be done consistently, creativity must be raised and at the end of the day, the economy benefits from that kind of investment.
HAN C
Ever since he parted ways with his former manager, DJ Bougee Sid, Mahalapye born-pint sized, multi-award-winning artist, Hanceford Magapatona has been taking up space, unapologetically so. Han C has shown a strong will to take over the entire world, and he is in the right direction. He’s solely organizing the annual Mahalapye Spring Festival, which is taking place next weekend.
The Pepetetsa hitmaker raked some monies from his savings to put together this event. Mahalapye Spring Festival will feature Paige, Ubuntu Band, Khoisan, Amantle Brown and Double Up among others. Even though it didn’t come as a surprise, Han C was nominated at African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) in the US, under Best Male Southern Africa category.
However, the award was snatched by the late South African rapper, AKA. Its not all lost as Han C secured two nominations at the Yarona FM Music Awards (YAMAs): People’s Choice of the Year and Best Male Single.
KOKETSO MOTSWAGOLE
This entrepreneur has turned his dreams into reality, and his promising apparel business is now a fashion destination. Matter of fact, Motswagole weathered the storms to be where he is now because through criticism and social media bullying, he still leads the pack in fashion.
His social media accounts got deleted but through his online store, KM Sales, Motswagole is able to rake in some profits. He initially started selling from his car but now owns a busy store and has employed a number of young people.
KM Sales has been offering fashionable items (shoes, t-shirts, pants) and has been participating in various lifestyle events such as Garden of Drip where it showcases its products.
If there is one young entrepreneur to draw motivation from is Koketso. The business started from humble beginnings, at the time when he worked part time at Ipelegeng as a casual labor. Indeed, good things come to those who wait, or well, work like a slave today, live like a king tomorrow.
KAGISO LUDO DE KLERK
Vee Mampeezy’s ex-wife Kagiso De Klerk clearly did not sit and weep over their dramatic divorce. The famous social media influencer hurriedly picked up the pieces and went hard on promoting business online. She literally took social media influencing to the head and it is working for her.
This year saw her partnership with Shell reach greater heights, and obviously, she is raking lot of pulas from the deal. Kagiso has been making frequent appearances in top events in South Africa such as Bubbles in Spring and Gold and Diamond Experience.
GAONA DINTWE
After a long break from the limelight, renowned media and radio personality, Gaona Dintwe is back. She was missed by many on TV, and she’s back where she belongs, news anchoring on BTV. Gaona has also found a niche in podcasting. She is a host of her own podcast, Gaona Live Conversation, where various people share their stories on camera.
Some of what they discuss is Gender Based Violence (GBV), polygamy and drug addiction. This is highly commendable because even BTV doesn’t have programs that discuss these crucial social issues. The Lentswelemoruti native is also seen in various corporate events where she is engaged as a host.
WeekendLife
DITIRO LEERO ONE MAN SHOW ON THE PIPELINE
Now that one-man shows are made fashionable, traditional dance guru and ex-convict, Ditiro Leero is joining the crusade and he will be hosting his also. The show will be held next month at Zone 4 Farm in Selokolela, but the there are traditional dance music artists who have been lined up to perform at the show. Matshana, Morwa Leka and Maswailathota will be doing their thing and probably bring some heat too. Ditiro Leero will be making history as the first traditional artist to host a one-man show in Botswana.
WeekendLife
MISS BOTSWANA HAVING MANY IRONS IN THE FIRE
With only two months before Miss World 2023, the reigning Miss Botswana, Lesego Chombo is having many irons in the fire, preparing for the much-anticipated beauty pageant. Miss World 2023 will be the 71st edition of Miss World pageant and it will be held in India. Chombo has been spotted toning her body at Jack’s gym, a requirement that is taken seriously at the pageant. She has also been participating in charity events, something that should add to her profile at the Miss World.