Leapfrog promises a bigger GIMC Week in 2015
WeekendLife
One of the greatest attractions of living in or visiting Gaborone is its energetic music and dance scene. The happy, catching, soulful music of Botswana and Southern Africa is everywhere and is one of the most thrilling aspects of culture to experience here. Gaborone was once proudly said to be Africa’s fastest on the rise city.
Gaborone International Music and Culture (GIMC) week 2014 was a platform shaped exclusively to give Batswana artists a broader range to showcase their talents and abilities and to perform in front of comparatively larger and cosmopolitan crowds.
The city was abuzz with activity, catering for different tastes, from music and poetry to comedy. 25 artists, 5 poets, 5 comedians and 5 choral groups performed in 5 days and 5 different locations.
Basically this is because they wanted to make use of some of the best venues that Gaborone has to offer. This aim behind the concert is to sell Gaborone and the organisers did just that. “This is to encourage locals and expats alike to get a diverse perspective of this self-effacing city,” said Thapelo ‘Fish’ Pabalinga of Leapfrog.
This music and culture concert is said to be a yearly event held in the last week of August in Gaborone. Leapfrog Communication and Advertising Agency, Botswana gave an imposing start, it is worthy the praise.
With 2015 just a few days away, Pabalinga and his team are already planning another thrilling music and culture week to be held in August. “We have long started preparing for the 2015 show which is obviously going to be bigger and better than the 2014 one.” According to Pabalinga the Gaborone International Music and Culture week 2014 was a huge success looking at the fact that it was the first of its kind in Botswana.
Explaining how they choose their artists to perform during the 7days of music and culture, Pabalinga says that they look at the music industry and who is on top at the moment. “We choose from those artists that are on the top and we focus mainly on what the people want as well.” Artists obviously have to impress to part of this exquisite show.
Vee Mampeezy had a new song, Zeus, Wizards, Benson Phuthego, MMP family, Ozi F Teddy, Lecco, La Timmy as well. The show also hosted Pule the comedian. Zahara who won best Female Southern Africa at the AFRIMMA awards in the US, was also live on Sat 30 Aug 2014 at the National Stadium.This year the National Stadium hosted this festival ever since 2003 when it hosted an event, so a good 10 years in between. GIMC is meant to take you down memory lane or create new memories.
Performers for GIMC in no particular order or genre were TJ Dema, Zeus, Mandisa Mabuthoe, Poet Circle, Phuthego Benson, Chama Girl, Tshetlha Ya Dikgwa, Lister Boleseng, Hellen, Jazz Masters, Shane Cooper (RSA-Cape Town), Zahara (RSA), Judith Sephuma (RSA), Wizards, Nu Care (NAM), Pule The Comedian, (RSA), Mashabale Galane (RSA), Mod, KTM Choir, Sedibeng Choir, Adante Choir, Gaborone Youth Choir, Shota (RSA), Dj Sly, House Junkies, LaTimmy, Team Distant, Euri BW, VEE.
Pabalinga promises a much bigger and better show than the one held this year. He says with the success of this year’s show, the sponsors are happy and they are looking forward to another exciting and spectacular show in August 2015.
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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.

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.