Social media catapults Dona into the limelight
WeekendLife
Growing up a spoilt brat, Nicole sees herself being haunted by her dirty deeds. She is a murderer but willing to discover herself. Would she be able to? Firstly, she was involved in a horrific accident that she was blamed to have caused, and his rich father bailed her out and illegally paid the injured poor woman. Nicole walked free, with zero charges.
In a turn of events, she is sent to a boarding school in Maun, where hell broke loose. The devilish Nicole has no choice but to use a fake identity to fit in. In the past, Nicole was used by many people because of her rich background, and as she started discovering herself and making new real friends, her demons resurrected. She developed envy towards a girl who happens to like a guy she is in love with. Nicole loved English so much…but hated her English teacher so much it hurts, which was fine because she treated her like trash!
Her like takes a different toll when her English teacher is murdered and she becomes a number one suspect. The mystery lies in trying to figure out if indeed she really did it or someone else actually committed the murder.Based purely on imagination and having drawn an inspiration from the famous song ‘’Dirty Laundry’’, this novel is about self-discovery and self-growth. Nicole although using a fake name discovers how strong and great of a person she is.
She grows from being a spoilt brat to actually possessing emotions like sympathy towards her best friend she met in Maun Senior School, a place where immoral deeds take place almost every day.In an exclusive interview with Weekend Life, author and composer of Dirty Laundry Cynthia Thanda, who is also a University of Botswana student said ‘’Maun Senior Secondary School is full of dirty secrets that the people in it are trying to hide so along the process of Nicole’s character development, we learn about the clean clothes people wear to hide their dirty bodies that is, Nicole is not the only person who has dirty secrets in the school’’
She said in Chapter one, Nicole arrives at Maun Senior School, where most of her self-discovery will take place, having been the most devilish girl before, killing people and surviving the law. Just when she thought she is seeing light of the day, she is the first suspect following the death of her teacher she hated so much. She is dropped off by her father’s bodyguard, and because she is daddy’s baby, he always was by her side, clearing all the mess she created.
In her own words, Nicole said ‘’I have always been daddy’s little hidden girl until I killed her…So when my father sent me to Maun Senior I felt like my world had been turned upside down, I didn’t want to leave Gaborone for an agro town. Little did I know I will find friendship, love and be involved in another murder case.’’ Blue Smith has always been a bad girl and Nicole was supposed to fix that, but they will always be the same girl…
Thanda noted that growing up, she was a loner and the only time her voice screamed was with a pen, hence why she came up with this collection. I would spend time in my head so I used to just write on hardcovers and make my classmates read. They always loved my scripts, and at times I was made to read English compositions before class and that gave me more confidence in writing. I only started writing a whole novel while still listening this song as the entire story flocked my mind. I didn’t have any laptop to compile my story, so I started off using a hardcover’’ she said
Dirty laundry is actually her first book, but she is working towards her second collection dubbed ‘Smooth Criminal.’’ Quizzed on how people welcomed her book, she indicated that ‘’It is much loved. For me who am a beginner I didn’t expect that much appreciation and it’s the most beautiful thing ever. At times I get emotional when reading the feedback I get from people, it’s really overwhelming.’’Being a writer, according to Thanda, is like a flesh to the skeleton. ‘’It is in the sense that writing gives us everything, the descriptions; emotions that characters have are much of everyday life. I personally feel writing made me understand other people much more.
Being a writer is dominance to me because you control the lives of the characters and through writing you experience a lot of characters that are so unlike you in real life. It is beautiful to live another person’s life once in a while’’ she saidShe further told Weekend Life that she sells her copies from the comfort of her place, most particularly at school, UB. However, some copies are available at Botswana Bookstore and she uses social media to promote her book. Just like any other entrepreneur, Thanda had some across challenges that almost made her quit. She had to develop a thick skin, just so she puts bread on the table.
‘’At first it was lack of support from my parents. To them lacking better information, it was a waste of time. They had a believe that writing was for someone who has now retired and has nothing to do. However, they did come around because they are now assisting me in selling this book, and for that, I must say I am impressed’’Financial constraints have always been an obstacle for many, but for this particular author, it wasn’t much of a challenge. ‘’My vision was to publish my book so I had started saving money from my student allowance way before I even completed it. Luckily, I had an aunt who helped get a publisher.
My parents also topped with some coin and as for printing, I took my entire allowance to print all the copies I have. I went broke but didn’t give up nonetheless.’’Dirty Laundry was introduced into the market last year in September, and it’s yet to be launched officially. Weekend Life is so much enthralled to see how young people are now able to pen something down and make readers glued to their chairs, eating from fictional content produced locally.
I mean, we support and buy local, and let’s just hope this particular author continues producing more. It’s well known that Weekend Life’s doors are always open for such brilliant minds like her, and some people don’t really see. Is it because Weekend Life washes away dirty laundry? I suppose so too…
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.