Goitse and One help raise funds for Abby
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With just a few weeks since she came back from Big Brother Africa Hotshots competition, Goitseone Kgaswana joined hands with other young people including the current Miss Universal Petite; One Mariri to raise funds for 14 year old UK based Motswana Abian Ntshabele who is currently fighting cancer and need money to undergo surgery that will cost US$50 000.
Many pledges have been made across platforms with the social media already abuzz with the issue. Over the weekend a few Batswana gathered at Riverwalk shopping complex to ask for donations to help Abian. Beautiful Abian Ntshabele from Mochudi is one such momentous angel.
At the commencement of 2014, when most were still recovering from an epic festive and drawing up their new year’s resolutions, the little girl received the most unpleasant news imaginable. She was diagnosed with metastatic Immature Teratoma, a rare form of cancer.
“With a new year comes transformed trust and new first phases. But for some of us that renewed hope, good as it sounds, seems too far-fetched an idea,” Said One. She continues to emphasise, “We gathered there to renew Abian’s hope for her precious life.” As for the ex Hotshots she said she believes that “Abian’s destiny lies not in her own hands but in the hands of the many kind and generous hearts of Good Samaritans out there.”
This event was organised by family and friends of Abian who believe that it also lies in the best that the medical world can possibly offer, that is why they came up with such an idea. This does not only end in Riverwalk mall as donations can be done through or at other malls like Game City this Saturday. “We edge people to share Abian’s video clip to raise awareness and to get her help through donations,” Said Goitse. Besides the Riverwalk event this team also hosted a car wash session at B6 for P50.00, still in a mission to raise the US$50 000.
“The costs for her surgery, to be carried out in China, including transport and accommodation, add up to more than P400 000, Please save Tiny’s only child” said Goitse. She believes that Batswana have a desire to help. She says it is because just on Saturday from 10:00am to 13:00pm they raised over P17.000. Besides the P17 000 raised in Riverwalk, Abian has received a donation from Casper Novest of P15 000 of the “Doc Doc Shebeleza” fame in South Africa and ZAC Construction donated P30 000 as well.
The Hotshots rep continues to say “I have a few of the ex Hotshots involved in raising funds for my fellow sister like the Big Brother Africa Hotshots winner Idris Sultan and Esther from BBA hotshots fame.” As for One she says she feels Abian’s pain as woman and she feels for Abian’s mother as well, that is why she saw it fit to get involved in raising funds for her.
“Abian’s situation is not hopeless and with a reasonable amount of compassion from each one of us, a young life can be saved. She just celebrated her 14th birthday on the 1st of December and with our contributions she can go on to celebrate her 15th come December 2015, and many more birthdays,” said One. She is currently in London, Nottingham University Hospital where she is receiving medical attention.
To give beautiful Abian something to celebrate the rest of this year and possibly the kiss-of-life she so deserves, donate whatever you can to her FNB acc# 62263884291 Main Branch (Botswana); Or the UK bank account details- HSBC Bank, Acc 42013940, sort code 400917. Both accounts are in her name. Her contacts are +447529524944. Locally (Botswana) one can contact Banabotlhe Ntshabele at 71879168.
With all this we say good job ladies.
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Dr Lame Pusetso comes to writer’s rescue
Multi award winning author of fifteen (15) books, Dr Lame Pusetso has put together a platform to empower local writers. Dr Pusetso is a President and Chairperson of the Executive Board of Kasapa Society.
She is also the Managing Director of Poeticblood Publishers and an owner of an online bookstore dubbed Mind and Soul Bookstores. Dr Pusetso has reiterated her commitment to helping upcoming authors, writers and poets in establishing their crafts and capitalizing on them.
In an exclusive interview this week, she said that she has put together a platform dubbed Botswana Literature Awards, which have fourteen categories.
When quizzed on what the awards stand for, Dr Pusetso said “writing as a form of art in Botswana is a skill that many have and have always been exploring. As a publisher, I have met different writers from all walks of life and some indicating that there isn’t enough motivation to keep going.”
In Botswana and according to the writer, there has been a limited representation of appreciation of authors. This is despite their efforts year in year out.
The whole intention of these awards really is to honor and recognize the hard work that local authors put in, when doing what they know best (writing).
“This is a way of appreciating their creativity and we will be doing this across all genres. The awards also act as a motivational tool to young writers who still have dreams of becoming best selling authors. Quite frankly, their works are of great importance and we cannot afford to let that slide like that.”
Dr Pusetso emphasized that all the winners will walk away with an award, a certificate and complimentary gifts to take home. “The two winners of Best Overall Author and Best Young Author will in addition receive book publication deals which includes book distribution and marketing for a year.
She gave a clearer picture of how authors can be a part of the literature awards.
“The awards are open to every author from the age of 7, must be a Motswana, and their book should have been published before or by 2022. For authors with more than one book, they are allowed to compete with only one book for one category, and different books for different categories.”
The young writer pinned hope on institutional collaborations, in order to stage the second edition of the awards next year, saying “We believe with these awards, the different institutions and stakeholders will show interest in helping nurture the literature scenario in Botswana.”
“It will also give authors hope and light to keep writing and penning down their stories for the benefit of all. We anticipate to host the next edition in 2024 with assistance from all interested parties.”
THE LITERATURE AWARDS CATEGORIES
Dr Pusetso stressed that there are fourteen (14) categories, and they are: Religious or Faith Based Book, Poetry Book, Children’s Book, Multi-lingual Writer, Best Collaboration, Setswana Novel, English Novel, Motivational Book, Best Young Author (7-13), Overall Best Author, Best Theory, Best Online Writer, Best Media Writer (Honor Award) and Honor Award (Long Serving Best Author).
EXPLAINING SPECIAL AWARDS
Best Media and Honor Award, Dr Pusetso said are not based on submissions but nomination by the committee. “For Honor Award, we want to appreciate the individual who has inspired the Botswana writing scenario over the years and even assisted numerous authors as both a writer and a community leader.”
The Best Media Writer award is meant to appreciate a journalist who is actively taking part in appreciating and helping authors in marketing, advertising and affording them a platform to showcase their works through their writing skills.
Meanwhile, the Botswana Literature Awards will be held on the 29th April and they are partially sponsored through the literacy grant. This is a grant under the Botswana National Library Services which falls under the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sports and Culture.
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Women’s Awards hit the ground running
The second edition of the much-anticipated Women’s Awards Botswana will be going down on the 27th May 2023 in Gaborone at Travel Lodge. The organizers of the prestigious awards have announced finalists, with three nominees per category.
Women’s Awards Botswana is established to empower women and celebrate them from all walks of life and across sectors. The awards raise awareness for women to be granted equal participation, particularly in decision-making positions, as one way of breaking the gender bias.
They also seek to celebrate the outstanding achievements of women from diverse industries in Botswana. Taking a closer look at the categories, He for She award celebrates and shines a light on men who stand and support women.
These are men who advocate for inclusion of women, men who stand against GBV and men who promote any service that can better women life. Her Abilities award looks into women who have shown determination to keep moving and achieve any goal they have set for themselves, regardless of their disability.
Other awards are self-explanatory. They celebrate women in arts, culture and entertainment, agriculture, creativity, innovation and technology, tourism and hospitality, community impact as well as organization supporting women.
ORGANIZER SPEAKS ON CRITERIA USED
When speaking in an interview, Founder and Director of Women’s Awards Botswana, Bofelo Zebe, said in their first edition, they had fifteen categories, which was enough for a piloting project.
“But we left out many industries or lines of work. After the event, we received reviews and suggestions, and there was an intensive evaluation that led to us increasing the categories to eighteen for this second edition.”
He said the nominees were voted in by the public, adding that the finalists were judged by a panel with the support of votes from their supporters.
When shedding light on what winners take home, Zebe indicated that there is an award trophy, certificate and goodie bags for all categories but “we are working to have financial sponsors jump on board so that winners and nominees can receive monetary incentives. We are also busy at work trying to retain our previous sponsors.”
THE 2023 WOMEN’S AWARDS BOTSWANA NOMINEES
HE FOR SHE AWARD
Desmond Lunga, Tlhabo Kgosiemang and Christopher Seagateng
BEST WOMAN IN ARTS, CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT
Ditshupo Mosoboloko, Thanolo Keutlwile and Seneo Mabengano
HER ABILITIES AWARD
Koketso Seleke, Goabo Kgasa and Mumsie Odirile
SPORTS WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Naledi Marape, Ouname Mhotsha and Keamogetse Kenosi
WOMAN FASHION DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
Montle Rantatana, Lesedi Matlapeng and Trudy Bakwena
BEST WOMAN IN AGRICULTURE
Nomathemba Masuku, Basadi Molelekeng and Keolebogile Keabetswe
BEST WOMAN IN CREATIVITY, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Marang Mbaakanyi, Didintle Moreki and Thandeka Palai
BEST WOMAN IN TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY
Masego Keleadile, Wapula Matshambane and Tshepo Phokoje
YOUNG WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Bridget Gothaang, Waone Makobo and Kimberly Matheakgomo
WOMAN OWNED SME BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Suits Africa, Nomlu Nail Bar and Sunflower Desserts
BEST WOMAN OWNED BUSINESS
Prezlin Clothing and Dawn Bell Academy
FEMALE MUSIC ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Mpho Sebina, Dato Seiko and Priscilla K
BEST ORGANIZATION SUPPORTING WOMEN
Sekao Foundation, The Fighters Support Group and Single Mothers Living with HIV
BEST WOMAN WITH COMMUNITY IMPACT
Lebopo Bulayani, Nanzelela Chaitezvi and Kebadile Wasenda
MEDIA WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Poppy Sello, Keikantse Shumba and Kedi Lezozo
FAVOURITE PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Marang Selolwane, Palesa Molefe and Masi Sithole
BEST WOMAN IN LEADERSHIP
Naseem Lahri, Neo Bogatsu and Lily Rakorong