“Okavango is Calling” to parade beauty of the delta
WeekendLife

Most nationalities from across the globe who have visited the delta have enjoyed the splendour, majestic cinematography views offered by its natural beauty.
The annual “Okavango Is Calling” event is a series of events aimed at promoting the Okavango delta as a World Heritage site as recognised by UNESCO. Different nationalities gather around the delta annually and enjoy different activities in their cultural attire depending on the occasion of the day.
Ghetto Urban Designs was given the rights to promote the 1000 World Heritage site in 2015, after submitting a 112 page concept paper. Currently Urban Designs are on their third installment of the event in which they produced a documentary that UNESCO and Botswana Television used to raise awareness about the 1000 World Heritage sites.
This year’s event is going to be held from the 10th – 13th September, in Maun, this comes after observing the trends of Covid-19. The official opening will be done by the Minister of Tourism, Philda Kereng. 22 countries are expected to showcase their tourism attractions at the event as well.
People must expect to see the beauty of the delta and an exchange of cultural ideas from different countries. The event last year went well though the Delta was at its slowest because there was no water. This year however we are expecting water from Angola for boat cruises, mekoro and scenic views,” Managing Director of the event, Thato Vincent Sebati shared with WeekendLife.
There is no doubts that the heritage event pulls crowds and has done so in their previous years, and this year they hope it will be no exception. The team is working hard to raise the same momentum and anticipation to lure more people to the event.
We are currently using social media platforms to market the event; we got a page called “Okavango Cultural festival for foreign Missions in Botswana” and soon after observing the trends of Covid-19 we will be back on Radio, television and Print media, he said.
As the delta begins to flood, and retains its beauty, Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) has vowed to support all the events that promote tourism as they want to promote local. BTO will be promoting local events as much as they can so as to promote places in Botswana, he said.
Currently, the event does not have a main sponsor but the Ministry of tourism, Diamonds in the Sky and the Ministry of Youth, are some of the sponsors who may come on board to support the event. Other than that, Sebati said they raise money through selling merchandise.
Botswana Museum is also said to be the custodian of the delta and UNESCO is also said to be one of the sponsors of the event. When asked about the budget of the event, he said P3. 4 million has been reserved to run the event.
The events of the occasion will entail the official tour of the delta, by air, boats and by mokoro. There will also be different stalls by different cultures. For the foodies, there will be the Food Festival and different cultures will showcase their different cuisines. As for the lovers of all things music, there will be a Music Festival where one can expect different musicians and also groups in Chanoga who are anticipated to participate during the Music Festival.
Meanwhile, Sebati promises to deliver a stellar event and urges people to start purchasing tickets as the event is nearing. Tickets are selling at P600 for individuals, which is exclusive of helicopter ride and boat cruises. P1 900 for individuals and it is inclusive of; accommodation and boat cruise. P2800 for individuals which will include accommodation, helicopter view and boat cruise.
As for couples tickets are selling at P3600 which will include accommodation and boat cruise and P5400 for couples will include accommodation, boat cruise and helicopter view.

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

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.

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.