Connect with us
Advertisement

Chester Missing to amuse Gaborone Sun


The 3rd Annual International Heavyweight Comedy Festival (HICOFEST) is bringing non- stop laughter to Gaborone on March 27th at Gaborone Sun Hotel with South Africa’s most sought after comedians topping the list.


 The 1st Annual HICOFEST was headlined by the Mashabela Galane, Deep Fried Man and Sifiso in December 2013. However, in 2014 the organisers decided to move the event to March and the 2nd annual event was headlined by Thapelo ‘Tips’ Shampoo Seemise.


The Major Moves Comedy production third instalment will be headlined by the razor sharp comedy of Conrad Koch and Chester Missing. Events coordinator for Major Moves Comedy Gaolathe Kediemetse said having produced the past two international annual shows, they wanted to showcase a different form of comedy and a top notch ventriloquist who is hot and in demand is just what the audience ordered. Another benefit of the event is that Conrad will workshop local comedians on puppetry which is not yet practiced in Botswana.


“Our main aim really is to see stand up comedy growing in Botswana and being part of entertainment, also contributing positively to lives of the comedians who can in turn be able to make a living off comedy like elsewhere in the world," Kediemetse added.


The 3rd HICOFEST will also feature Botswana’s most funny and acclaimed stand-up comedian Bafana ‘Ribcracker’ Letsatsi, alongside top female comedienne Kelekwang  ‘Rekunde’ Mophaleng, 2012 President’s Day Champion Odirile Brooks, Phenyo ‘The Master’ Phaladi and 2014 President’s Day Champion Oefile ‘Mawee’ Mokgware. There will also be talents from other countries such as Mapuru 'Cura' Makara from Lesotho and Peter Royston from Zimbabwe.


“We have had tremendous support for our past shows from both the public and the media alike. We promise a rocking show with this production as the Department of Arts Culture has helped us financially. We have fresh new line up and people must come and experience the best and ultimate entertainment from beginning to the end," said Kediemetse.


Conrad Koch is one of South Africa’s most sought after comedy talents and the winner of the 2010 Entertainer of the Year award. He combines hilarious comedy with world-class puppetry, and has done so for over fifteen years to local and international acclaim. He has worked all over the world, been featured on South African and international television and is a frequent guest at some of South Africa’s biggest comedy events – the Comics Choice Awards, Blacks Only, the Smirnoff Comedy Festival, the Vodacom Comedy Festival, Metro FM Comedy Experience, etc.


With a Master Degree in Social Anthropology, Conrad Koch is South Africa's top ventriloquist. A pioneer & trailblazer he has singlehandedly introduced the art form of ventriloquism to the broader local audience. This unique ability mixed with his intelligent & culturally aware comedy has seen him receive both local and international acclaim.


It is with the recent featuring of his puppet Chester Missing's as the political analyst on etv & eNCA's Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola that Koch broke new ground in the world of ventriloquism, globally. Chester Missing's no holds barred interviews with the country's foremost political figures on the show has seen him become one of the most interviewed comedians in the country. Chester Missing won the The Times‬ Comic's Pen Award at the 2014 Comics Choice Awards.


Chester Missing's importance to the South African political landscape was highlighted when he was invited to cover the ANC Elections at Mangaung as part of eNCA's team of reporters. In 2013, Late Nite News was bestowed with the highest honour in television worldwide by being nominated in the comedy category of the International Emmy Awards.


Media sponsor for the show is Yarona FM while Department of Arts Culture (under the Ministry of Sport, Youth and Culture) and Major Moves Comedy are financial sponsors. Tickets for International Heavyweight Comedy Festival are available at Webtickets & Spar outlets priced from P200 single and P300 double. The show starts at 8 pm.

Continue Reading

WeekendLife

BOTSWANA TO HOST MISS WORLD 2026

6th December 2023

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

Continue Reading

WeekendLife

DJ Sway ‘saved’ the YAMAs

22nd November 2023

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.

 

Continue Reading

WeekendLife

Chef Gustos walk of shame

22nd November 2023

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.

 

Continue Reading