Come Duze party comes to Gaborone
WeekendLife
Controversial Kelly Khumalo to make debut Botswana performance
Credit should be given to Botswana music promoters, they have belted up to come to terms with the prominent African promoters to bring nothing but the best to our entertainment industry. Last year, we experienced the inaugural Gaborone International Music Week, a success story which enhanced and harnessed working relations between our own artists and international acts, especially those from South Africa.
This year in April, at Serokolwane Lawns we are looking at inaugurating yet another international event known as the Gaborone International Jazz Festival. The event will headline all the way from United Kingdom DJ & Composer Atjazz, legendary South African band Lady Smith and Black Mambazo, Jimmy Dludlu, South African Motswako artist HHP, Louis Mhlanga and locals Shanti- Lo, Punah Gabasiane, Nnunu Ramogotsi as well as Mpho Sebina.
Again, this year, Gilbert Promotions is bringing, for the first time in Gaborone city, the Come Duze party. This is an event synonymous that of the coastal city of Durban, South Africa which is held every New Year’s eve, recognisable by the #FactDurbanRocks hashtag.
The promoters of the event are currently engaging in talks with SABC 1 to broadcast it live. PP of Gilbert Promotions has revealed to WeekendLife that they have agreed verbally and the agreement is yet to be put on paper. The aim of Come Duze is to mobilise people from across Africa to spend New Year day in Gaborone and make the city widely known.
Gaborone literally becomes a ghost town during the festive break, when everyone has made the annual ritual trek to their villages of origin to join their families. Events such as the Booster Bash, which used to headline the new year’s festivities, have also died.
PP has also revealed that they are pushing publicity and preparations for the event early during the year to give it the exposure it deserves, as an international event. PP said they are currently working around the clock to find a suitable venue, preferably one that is outdoors. He said at the end of March be driving 25 places nonstop at the same time endorsing and promoting the event with a motor sport company, Graveyard, who they have partnered with.
It is envisaged that this will become an annual event that will feature various themes and mini event such as a black tie evenings as well as a tour around the country which they will be using to sell the event merchandise and tickets. They are currently in talks with South African Tourism to sponsor the event as well as the Gaborone City Council.
They also want to secure, as early as possible, the bookings for top notch artist. On the top of their target list Tanzanian, Diamond Platnumz better known as Diamond. He is best known for his hit song "Number One" which he performed at the Big Brother Africa 7 eviction show in May 2012.
Diamond is signed to Bongo Flava recording studios, which is known for having all the most prolific artists in its stable. For the first time in history, the controversial South African singer and actress Kelly Khumalo might headline the event. Her latest release single ‘Asine’ which has aroused a lot of controversy in relation to her boyfriend, Senzo Meyiwa’s death, is one of the songs that enjoyed airplay locally during the festive break.
Other artists on the cards include South Africa’s number one Hip hop star Casper Nyovest. Casper is not a newcomer here, having performed several times in the country before and Batswana seem to want more of him every time. Lastly, PP said the country’s capital city is the one which determines whether a foreigner will relocate there or not. It needs to be appreciated. “This is not about music only, it involves tourism as well as foreign direct investments,” he said.
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.