ARTISTS open up about the LOCKDOWN
WeekendLife
When the year 2020 took off, there was great excitement and hope for a bright and exciting chapter for many people. Among those who glorified 2020 were performing artists – they scheduled a plethora of events and music shows that were eagerly awaited by fans.
All of these planned activities collapsed with the outbreak of COVID-19 and the subsequent State of Emergency declared by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi. The extreme social distancing restriction has scattered and shattered dreams! Artists feel they got the sharp end of the deadly pandemic as their daily bread and butter comes from the creative industry. Most artists are currently at home clinging to the hope that government consider them as well as the many employed within the creative industry.
Things have gone from bad to worse for the music industry as the country gears up for a six months State of Emergency despite the fact that 28 days extreme social distancing concludes end of this month. There is a chance of an extension though. Artists say they face a possible bleak and hungry future as they do not know where their source of income would be as long as the extreme social distancing measures are in place.
WeekendLife took time to dialogue with some of the artists to hear how they are coping with the lockdown.“Pretty much like everyone else I am in lockdown and can’t work because people are not allowed to assemble. Festivals and conferences have been cancelled or postponed and at this rate even those postponed may not even happen later in the year. Indications are showing that things will come back to normal in 2021.
I was booked for a lot of festivals in Botswana and internationally as well as for some conferences. I also had my own events organised for Sereetsi & The Natives’ 5th year anniversary. I had recording sessions lined up. All these cannot happen because of this extreme social distancing. Right now I can’t earn a living because I am stuck at home,” local Jazz sensation Tomeletso Sereetsi of Sereetsi and the Natives shared with WeekendLife.
He further stated that, though this may seem hard for him, he has decided to use this time to do things that matter the most to him. “On the flipside, this is a chance for me to spend time with family, recharge my batteries and reflect on my work and my place in the world. It is also an opportunity to create new music and strategise for the new post COVID-19 environment. As they say “adapt or die”, it is time to prime myself not to be left behind in the ensuing new business normal.”
“I will be hosting online concerts for as long as the lockdown continues. People need music to take their spirits off the gloom and doom of Covid-19. I had my first Facebook Live concert on my artist page which was a resounding success. It went for well over, 1hour 30 minutes. The demand for another one was huge. As part of the concerts, I am sharing words of encouragement as well as messages from health officials.
I have also contributed to the Covid-19 campaign on BWGovernment. It is not rocket science that Covid-19 lockdown means that artists cannot earn a living. The online concert is part of an effort to raise a buck and hopefully, be able to also contribute to the national Covid-19 Relief Fund.”The next Facebook Live concert session is slated for Thursday 23 April 2020 at 7:30pm.
“The concert series is called Serubing Live Session 2. The first was Serubing Session 1. Music lovers can tune in to the live concert by liking and following my artist page so that they are alerted of the performances when they happen,” he said. Sereetsi urged government to include artists in the relief fund. “Government should help the creative sector as well because it employs a lot of people as well. It may be largely informal but it is feeding a lot of families. It also deserves a rescue package. The creative sector should be included in P2billion government rescue package,” he said.
Meanwhile songbird Amantle Brown, shared with WeekendLife that she was booked for three shows and they had to be cancelled. The songstress is home wondering where her bread will come from.
“This lockdown has locked us down indeed, some of us have been on lockdown before lockdown even began. The financial side of things is showing us dust. For me it’s cool because I have a studio in my house, but coming to think of it, I do not have money and I do not know how I am going to make money.
I am just wondering if these people are thinking of us, are we even considered in anything. The lockdown is something I wish to never happen again,” she lamented.Brown has currently set up a mini studio at home where records her music, and spends most of her time. Rhumba veteran, Franco was one of the artists who was anticipating a successful and great turn up for his much talked about Soul Fill up event. Unfortunately, like many other events this one too had to take the back seat due to the pandemic. In an almost defeated like move, the Kwasa Kwasa star has also stopped his rehearsals.
“It is a sad reality we all have to face at this point in time, we are all disappointed and sad for not being able to host a show we planned really well for. Frank is a man who is not shy to show his emotions, he was noticeably sad at what unfolded, not just for the show but mostly because of people losing their lives all over the world.
Currently no rehearsals are going on, no recordings are going on and there is no income at all. He will continue to take care of his staff in the best way possible. We shall all come back better and stronger, we are still 100% optimistic that one day we shall deliver,” said Kabelo “K-lo” Oanthata, the Public Relations Officer for Soul fill up with Franco
“Khiring khorong” hitmaker, Atasaone Molemogi otherwise known as ATI said: “Batswana ba thomola Pelo, do you know hunger tota. I just want to say that there is karma and it’s well on its way for anybody who put their belly in exchange for the livelihood of the people. The people might pay the heavy price of naive decision making in who they so dearly trust to lead them.
But the great revelation will call for an occurrence never witnessed before in the eyes of the oppressed and the oppressor. This awkward paradigm will see the powerful become powerless and the powerless with divine protection. Mark my words. Something big is unfolding. Truth or dare is the nature of this kind of flair.”
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.