Afro-urban soul’s unsung Hero
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Kayzee better than ‘old wine’ in second album
One of Botswana’s finest vocalists, producer and song composers, Kagiso Micah Nkwatle is just about to offer his second album in which he appears more refined – than old wine.
Kayzee, as he is affectionately called by his legion of fans, will release his second album, Tsa Lorato at the end of November and should be on shelves all over the stores on the 1st of December 2014.
The album launch is slated for O’haggans on the 19/11/2014 from 0800hrs – 0000hrs. Kayzee has limited the number of supporting artists this time around as he intends to dish out his all to his fans. During the album launch he will also perform songs from the previous albums which he did not have the opportunity to share during the launch of the first album due to a congested line up. The gifted singer says in his latest offering, he comes up mature and finer than old wine.
There will also be a live DVD shoot during the launch.
Kayzee is not an ordinary performance artist you meet in the streets. He is a soft spoken, humble, visionary and unique artist. Yes, he is an Afro urban soul artist who grew up in a music oriented family; he became very passionate about music to the extent of being self-taught in almost playing all the musical instruments ranging from guitar, keyboard to drums.
He oozes with confidence as he describes his music as a new genre called Afro-urban soul. The music is dominated by sounds called Electric Piano (Rhodes), he explains. He further describes it as containing an up tempo and mid tempo beat. The colourful and flowing music is predominantly on romance-soothing love songs all the way.
Kayzee writes his own lyrics, creates his melodies and builds solid arranged beats for his own music. He strongly believes in strict live performance music. His great talents cannot be denied.
The Afro-urban soul man is influenced by the likes of American soul artists, Soul Child Musiq and D’Angelo. Regionally he gets along with the South African Jonathan Buttler.The cordial relationship between Kayzee and these three accomplished artists is their peculiar range of singing and the tone they apply in their music. Furthermore he feels a deep sense of connection when listening to the artists.
“I am very proud of my music because of its uniqueness, what sets it apart from the rest as the best is that it technically applies all the music techniques I learnt at school,” says the producer come performance artist.
The Afro-Urban singer makes it crystal clear that his music is unique in a sense that it infuses jazz and Rhythm N Blues (RNB).If that is not enough there is also divine African expressions added to the soulful music.
KAYZEE CREATED BEATS FOR VEE
It is indeed a rare combination of best of both worlds. Kayzee has always had passion for music. It runs in his blood – he eats, talks and walks music. He started by creating beats at home using a keyboard and storing them in a floppy disk whilst growing up in Francistown. People started recognising his talent and his production was soon in demand. One notable artist who acquired his services was Odirile Sento aka Vee with the production of a smash Hit Pompa Tswidi Tswidi.
After his breakthrough our Afro-urban soul man moved his talents to the capital city Gaborone where he rubbed shoulders with giants like Nuff Respect artists producing beats for them in the likes of Diathoteng, Makhesho and Mapetla.
Kayzee outdid himself when he worked with the MICASA producer Dr Duda working on Easy B’s album on the track tittle “Ke Nako”. His star started shining brighter in 2011 when he released his very own album titled Mmamontsho. The title tracks “Bosigo jona” and “Nokuthula” are still enjoying massive airplay to date.
He recently performed with other local artists at the BNYC awards ceremony. His die hard love for music and passion has kept him going even in the darkest hours. He creates his music from the natural sounds experienced in everyday life. His most important inspiration is God.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Kayzee believes in the unity, collaboration and assistance of artists so that they work together in developing the music industry in Botswana. He believes that there is a lot of talent in Botswana that needs nurturing and mentoring thus always availing himself. He always gives technical assistant to other upcoming artists.
Highlights of Kayzee’s career include creating a hit beat for one of the best sons of the soil in Botswana – Vee for the track Pompa Tswisitswidi; Live performance for two weeks in South Africa at Phala Borwa, North West Province; Production and collaboration with Remmogo All Stars artists; BNYC awards performance; and working with MICASA producer Dr Duda.
Born and bred in the City Of Francistown 32 years ago, Kayzee is such a phenomenal artist with an amazing talent. He hails from the villages of Manyana and Mochudi. He has always had a dream that one day he will be a well accomplished artist because he was always surrounded by people who inspired and believed in him.
Kayzee derives his name from Kaizer – which is synonymous with the football fraternity – but it later changed at high school when his friends started calling him by the former. He was to later adopt it as his stage name.
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Thabiso Maretlwaneng certified Master in filmmaking
“IT’S TIME FOR US TO ARCHIVE BOTSWANA HISTORY INTO BIOPICS FILMSâ€
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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.â€
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.â€
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.â€
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.â€
“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.â€
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.â€
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.â€
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.â€
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