Connect with us
Advertisement

BOMU honours artists

Makwakwa scoops Song of the Year

Botswana Musicians Union (BOMU) recently held its 6th annual awards at the Gaborone International Convention Center (GICC). Various artists were rewarded for their excellent compilations and performances for the year 2014.


Officiating at the BOMU Awards, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Vincent Seretse observed that artists are role models to young people therefore require the public’s influence in their growth. He urged artists to register their work with copyright laws.


The minister also informed the audience that he will advocate for legislation to be improved for artists. Seretse linked the Vision 2016 to the performing arts industry, indicating that there are no celebrations without performances. He indicated that performers will be needed to help the country celebrate its 50th year of independence in 2016. Seretse strongly criticised piracy.


Speaking at the event, BOMU President Phempheretlhe Pheto encouraged people to show support to musicians. He said the support should go beyond money; nurturing Botswana’s talent. “The Botswana Musicians Union’s role is to provide advice and guidance to all our member artists,” he said.  He said artists must be protected from exploitation of their works by third parties.


THE WINNERS
Leading the winners was DJ Oats of House University by taking home four awards out of five categories that he was nominated for. Makwakwa scooped two awards including the Song of the Year, which was won by Vee Mampeezy last year. Vee managed to get only two awards this year; Best House Kwasa and Best Male.  Other nominees walked home empty handed while others got only one award. The newly formed polka group, Ricardo, scooped an award as well.


HONOURED
The late President of Botswana Movement for Democracy, Gomolemo Motswaledi was honoured through the legendary award while Anafiki received the BOMU President’s award.



Following social media outrage at the quality of the live broadcast of the Awards, the BOMU Secretary General, Pagson Ntsie apologised to those who were watching on television stating that some technical problems were experienced. He urged Batswana to keep on supporting BOMU.


Entries were open to BOMU members only. Statuettes were given to winners. Some of the categories which were not open for entry included – Album of the year, Duo or group of the year, Male and female artist of the year, Newcomer of the year, Honorary award and President’s award.

These awards were chosen based on the opinion of the judges – excellence, regardless of its genre, better than any other album entered in the 6th annual BOMU awards were the yardsticks. The public’s vote categories were Album of the year and Song of the year.


This year’s categories have been reduced to 32 where judges had to do 80% of the judging while the public did 20%. The 7th BOMU awards are scheduled for December 12th 2015 at the usual location, GICC.


The event’s main sponsor was The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture who contributed an amount of P500 000; while the Department of Broadcasting Services sponsored the Awards to the tune of P400 000.  The Department of Broadcasting Services and BOMU have agreed to televise the awards live for five years while Grand Palm has been lodging the function in the past.

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