GIMC partners with Cliff Central
WeekendLife
This year’s Gaborone International Music & Culture Week (GIMC promises to be bigger and better than the inaugural event held in 2014. GIMC is an annual 7-day event that is set to take place first week of September from 1- to 6 September 2015.
The organisers of the festival have revealed that as part of growing the initiative, GIMC has entered into a partnership with the popular online radio station co-founded by renowned South African radio DJ and television personality Gareth Cliff, Cliff Central. Cliff is one of the most influential radio and TV personalities in Southern Africa and his online radio station will provide GIMC an endless opportunity to sell the event to millions of people across the globe.
This partnership with Cliff Central will also provide great opportunity for artists involved with the event to grow and be known outside Botswana as the show will be beamed live on Cliff Central. Sponsors alike will be able to expand their reach to an indefinite market size that is the power of digital online station.
According to the organisers the quality of the performers have been improved and the advertising platforms have been upgraded this year. The other notable addition for the 2015 edition is the strategic partnerships that GIMC has created with various stakeholders.
The partnerships will create a sustainable approach to the event and most importantly open opportunities for local artists. With the partnerships formed, GIMC will be a platform to engineer growth internationally to the music and arts industry in Botswana.
The organisers have also revealed that they have signed a Digital music Distribution deal with Creative Mobile Group (CMG).This is an excellent opportunity for local Botswana artists to grow their music business internationally as their music will be marketed internationally through the CMG platform.
Just like iTunes this will provide artists that have signed up with GIMC an opportunity to earn income every time their song is downloaded and in turn give Batswana artists exposure as their music will be available to a wider and international audience online.
GIMC and has also partnered with Tertiary institutions and offered that the best 3rd year students studying PR, Marketing and Event Management be attached on an internship with the GIMC organising team. This will give the student’s exposure and practical knowledge on running an event of such magnitude. This, according to the organisers will be credible reference and experience for the students to use in their future careers.
GIMC will play an active role in assisting students in being ready for the market when they leave their studies by offering them practical behind the scenes experience related to their studies and the industry.
GIMC has taken advantage of various digital platforms to reach a large number of people both internally and externally. It has presence on Facebook, Twitter and a GIMC website, all these have been developed for patrons to follow and easily access detailed information about the event. Access GIMC Facebook page at (Gaborone International Music & Culture Week), Twitter handle (@BwGimc) and website www.gimc.co.bw).
GIMC’s positioning for 2015 is “More THAN just AN event”. This positioning is relevant because GIMC is MORE THAN JUST AN EVENT; it addresses a wide array of touch points from selling Botswana, creating a platform for Batswana artists to grow internationally, celebrating the capital city to boosting the local economy with increased business activity during the week.
This year, there will be 45 artists in all over the 7 days of the event. Of the 45 artists 38 will be from Botswana with the balance from Nigeria, South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
One of the sponsors, Wilderness Safaris, which is widely acclaimed as Africa’s foremost ecotourism operator has offered sponsorship for 2 to one of their camps in the Okavango Delta. The competition will be eligible to anyone who will attend the GIMC events. The Okavango Delta is one of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites and what better ways to celebrate this by having one of the GIMC patrons experience it.
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.