ORATILE KEFITLHILE on hosting seamless business style events!
WeekendLife
Organising a successful event or conference is really a big effort. Many corporate events or conferences cost beyond half a million to run, and all the time, money and sheer hard work mean that a lot is at stake.
It’s also really critical that the event run smoothly. Today, we see a lot of emcees emerging from one event after another. We get to see them either male or female, or sometimes, a combination of both sexes interacting with the audiences.
The male emcee would sometimes do it all alone, or the female emcee can independently handle the crowd. At times, both of them can make a good tandem up on stage to manage and facilitate the program. Women are known to be the creative ones, in almost every aspect of life. She releases her creative juices out to have a product that is unique and very likeable. She can think greater than the usual and let her imagination work to make something new out of the usual.
Oratile Kefitlhile has earned her name as the best corporate emcee of all times. Whether you are presenting a panel of speakers or a point-counterpoint duo, she can definitely help your session run smoothly. She is a radio and TV personality and a hard-hitting journalist who can bring great name draw to your event and ensure that the discussion stays on track. This young woman will bring the polish that you have been looking for to your next business event.
Kefitlhile is an accomplished media personality who has wowed thousands of corporate people with her emceeing skills and winning personality. Besides being effectively bilingual, she also has a wide repertoire of funny skills in mind all the time, for your special business gathering. Being able to interact with the audience has made Kefitlhile the best emcee of choice at several events, most which are corporate and formal.
Sharing her life story as a versatile media personality, Kefitlhile told Weekend Life that ‘’I am a 29-year-old woman proudly from Gabane, from a family of five. I was raised by two traditional parents who were both civil servants. And my purpose in life is to illustrate to other fledgling folks that it is possible, it’s doable. I don’t want to stand and say I have attained it because I’m still trying to navigate across and figure out what it is that I do. I am a heterogeneous, I believe in person being multi-versatile. Getting your hands do what they can do is actually what I am trying to cement to that little boy or girl, and I even inspire them to volunteer because that’s where I initially started.’’
Born from a family of teachers, growing up she always wanted to be a teacher. ‘’I still believe I am a teacher because what I do now is teaching, and the difference is I’m not in a classroom. As strict as they were, I actually learnt the value of accommodating and loving people. I have loved being operational with people from a young age and that is one value that I hold onto even today. That is why I chose to gamble into journalism, subsequently becoming a corporate emcee.’’
Corporate emceeing, she said needs someone who has a good questioning mind, with relevant questions. An event planner is asked lot of questions about the venue, audience, speakers and purpose as well as running order. ‘’You need to know few elements before going on stage. Even as the event is unfolding, you continue to enquire. Is the guest speaker ready? Should we bring the launch forward because of the tight schedule? If you ask such questions, you unlikely to be ambushed by unexpected occurrences’’, she said
Being unflappable can also be an advantage. A corporate emcee works under pressure sometimes, but they still need to deliver either way. This has been a challenge for lot of emcees, but Kefitlhile underlined that ‘’ sometimes things go wrong. The microphone stops working or the guest of honour fails to turn up. When unexpected situations like that occur, as a corporate MC, you handle them with quit confidence and find solutions to maintain the flow and energy of the event.
She further stressed that one should have a backup plan in case Plan A fails. It is great to be unflappable in the face of crisis, but one need to have thought through their next line of action so they can deal with the problem, she said. ‘’As a master of ceremonies, sharing a humorous story to liven up a ‘dead’ moment in the program or having your notes in hard and soft copies, just in case, are two examples of how to plan for problems.’’
Kefitlhile noted that she has always been creative. ‘’I think on my feet and I use what is available to get desired results. This means focusing on outcomes and using unconventional methods to achieve them. Like convincing wedding guests at a garden reception to use their car headlights to illuminate a dark venue when the power fails and there is no backup generator. Not an easy sell but definitely workable. If you can come up with solutions like this, you are on track.’’
With her accessible humour and free flowing style, Kefitlhile’s success as a versatile media personality has quickly broadened into a range of performance credits on TV, radio and stage. She showed another side by contesting for Miss Botswana 2015, and for two years consecutively, hosting the prominent beauty pageant. Experienced news reporter with a demonstrated history of working in the broadcast media industry, she has worked for all commercial radio stations in the country without applying for any of the posts.
She is skilled in editing, journalism, media and public relations, radio and television. Also, Kefitlhile has been devoting her time to speaking engagements focused on motivating students, issues around media and gender parity as well as turning passion into a profitable enterprise.
She does not only have a thing for radio, journalism and emceeing. For so many years, she has been a face of many companies as a brand influencer, for both corporate and private organisations. ‘’At one point, I was the face of Masa Square Hotel Fashion Show, The Make Over Place Hair Salon and Spa, Sedi Skin care as well as content producer for Local Corner.’’
Well, in a minute Kefitlhile was able to reveal to Weekend Life some of her fun facts, I mean I wouldn’t let her go without sharing some of what people don’t know about her. If she wasn’t in the media, she would probably be a teacher more so that she comes from a family of teacher. The first thing she does when she wakes up every day is drinking tea. And this one is obvious…this woman is a tea addict! Her first kiss…was nerve wrecking and exciting at the same time. She says her boyfriend has to be God fearing before anything else. ‘’He should be ambitious and smart. I love a man who is challenging and someone I can learn few things from, not only one plus one.
That one is not even up for debate.’’ She has a lucky guy…and a baby girl called… (Name known to this publication). And one last thing…Kefitlhile loves traditional cuisine and bogobe jwa lerotse, morogo wa dinawa and seswaa top the list.
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Thabiso Maretlwaneng certified Master in filmmaking
“IT’S TIME FOR US TO ARCHIVE BOTSWANA HISTORY INTO BIOPICS FILMS”
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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.
WeekendLife
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