When marriage comes knocking
WeekendLife
Marriage starts a giant chapter in any person’s life, it is for this reason that people are encouraged to not only take their time before getting married but are also urged to choose the right partner who could help them weather any storm. The beauty of marriage ultimately lies in understanding each other, and complementing each other. While society may be sceptic about young couples who want to walk down the aisle, they surprisingly also understand what it means to have found an embodiment of true love in someone, and more often than not, they throw their full body weight behind the couple instead of their usual criticism. WeekendLife interviewed a young couple, Thato and Laone Mogotsi, who tied the knot at a relatively young age; Larona was 22 years whilst her husband was 24.
The couple’s story can be seen as the clichéd teenage love story we all see in rom-coms, where a 17 year old Thato fell head over heels in-love with a then 15 year old Laone – love at first sight.
Fast track to seven years down the road, the couple are the epitome of the coined phrase ‘I married my childhood sweetheart’. The Mogotsis have since grown in both maturity and in their marriage and are well on their way to making plans of growing their family.
For Larona, the proposal was not as romantic as she had hoped or expected. “It was just a basic proposal, he just threw it in, whilst we were having a conversation. This was in 2018. That was when things became quite serious. I was only 21 then. I did not really invest in the emotion that he really wanted to marry me. So he later approached my pastor, Boago Ramogapi and in February 2019 he told me he is for real and that I should go and inform my parents. There was no engagement ring and to be honest I wanted the ring” she said.
Both their families, when told about the engagement, were supportive of their children’s decision as they felt it was inevitable that the young couple would one day walk down the aisle. Traditional wedding processes went off without a hitch and the two were married.
To an outsider, their relationship may seem all rosy but the couple say they can attest to many struggles they had during their dating period. Not only that but Thato and Larona admit that people thought they were too young for any sort of commitment, let alone marriage, others were even of the opinion that they did not understand what they were doing. The nay-sayers did not keep Thato and Larona from hitching.
The bubbly and down to earth couple further highlighted that after high school, their relationship hit a breaking point which defined where they were headed.
“We had a crazy eight years of being together which marked a season of growth and much change in our lives as well as maturity. We found out that we were more mature than we ever thought we were. It was a period where we had a lot of fun. We got to understand that some things you cannot be engaging in them for too long.
So we decided to break away from the current norm of our age mates and we decided to do us. So there was a period of time when there was just the two of us, without any friends around. That was the time we got to know each other deeply,” said Thato.
“So we got together and got to understand each other because sometimes we are overshadowed by friendships, because a lot of times when he asked me to come and see him I would take a friend along. We were friends but I noticed a lot of things when friends were out of the picture.
When friends are around, there is so much influence. That was the breaking point of our relationship and since then it has been more than amazing,” said Laone.
The career driven couple, have published a book called ‘Married at 22’, in which they give a glimpse into their journey as a couple -from the time they met until the day they tied the knot. In the book, she explained that, when she left the alter she never left herself there, as she understand before she is a Mrs, she is herself hence she will never allow herself to be lost in marriage.
The couple also try to advise that there is no one formula to making relationships work. What would work for one couple may not work for any other couple and therefore it is important to first understand each other and find out what works in your relationship.
Their book is currently available for orders through their Facebook page and doorstep deliveries. The couple are in the process of having it on Amazon website by next month, July.
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.