REACXION: Gentleman in feminism challenging stereotypes
WeekendLife
Women’s empowerment and women’s reproductive health and rights are often viewed solely as women’s issue. Yet, achieving gender equality is impossible without engaging men and boys.
Gender-based violence comes in many different forms and even to this day, women are still exposed to this violence: domestic abuse, reproductive coercion, sexual assault, rape, economic control, child marriage, sex trafficking, catcalling, harassment, and others. These behaviours are meant to terrify and control women and girls.
In Botswana, some men are stepping up to call out other men on their harmful behaviour. These men are part of initiatives that are established to teach girls and women how to approach an abuser and de-escalate the situation so that the woman and her family will not face retribution.
These men also try to educate abusers on why their actions are wrong. Slowly, the idea that women should put up with abuse from their husband, a belief that is held in many place around the world, is challenged. Tlamelo Joseph, or Reacxion if you fancy, has been doing well in promoting women across all domains for quite a stretch now.
They say he is competently skilled at a lot of different types of work, a master of none. Joseph is a gender activist, an artist, life coach & Mosadi Tota brand developer.In an exclusive interview with WeekendLife in Gaborone this week, Joseph said he is about supporting women. ‘All that I do is about women growth! Mentally, physically, financially and their social life. A women empowerment initiative I initiated has a sole purpose which is to encourage team work among women, networking, discover and appreciating young talent, support and foster growth for women in the arts scene and in the long run to keep more young women busy and away from vulnerability,’’ he said.
In 2019, Joseph put together the annual Mosadi Tota concert that featured women in arts, women at work as well as women and talk. ‘’The event’s mandate was primarily about bringing the Most Influential women to come share with aspiring ones on how to be the engine that drives organizations they work at and have them getting involved in the organization’s major projects. In addition we taught women to be instrumental in stakeholder engagements and owning up space.’’
Further, the gentleman stressed that his concept brings in activists who are certain of investing in a girl child as a contrivance for economic growth.‘’We also work in hand with advocates, motivational and transformational speakers, who trust in the advancement of women and girl child as a tool for economic growth. They advocate for gender equality and parity for the boy and girl child as well as empowerment of youth through instilling behavioural change and positive transformation. I believe this is key in today’s world especially at a time girls and young boys are exposed to discernment and some sort of disgrace.
Mosadi Tota will be hosting our first event on the 28th of March 2020.
“I DESERVE” is a seminar aiming at encouraging women to work together for the takeover of this male dominated industry. We all "Deserve" a chance to choose our career path in life. There's nothing like male dominated industry. In addressing the area of law, we have brought women who have organized and taken part in delivery of content in workshops and seminars aimed at tackling social issues of marriage, divorce, custody, adoption and maintenance of children, and cases of gender based violence,’’ Joseph said.
‘‘We also have Malebogo Marumoagae, a prominent businesswoman and leader who is passionate about youth empowerment, gender equality and entrepreneurial development. She is a founder and Director of Award Winning Belle Larissa (Pty) Ltd, an entity whose main aim is to assist individuals and corporates to perform at their highest potential through training and development.”Meanwhile, Joseph has been nominated on the Women’s Awards Botswana under “Inspiring Male Supporting Woman’’.
The award recognizes and appreciates male figures who have been hands on empowering and supporting women.Not only is he a feminist, Joseph is a rap artist and has since made a dramatic return to the music circles. ‘’The rapper in me will never die! I’m back in the studio as we speak after two years. We are finalizing an album to drop this December. I have two songs to drop very soon, one song talking about love and its significance.
I did fifteen shows in December and very soon I will be appearing on your TV screens. To all those who love Reacxion, I’m sorry I never released any music this past year but I’m back by popular demand.’’
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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
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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.
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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.