Protea unveils new scrumptious carte de jour
WeekendLife
Protea Hotel by Marriot Gaborone Masa Square this week launched new menu in order to give its customers and guests an unforgettable culinary experience. Held at the hotel’s Don Carlos restaurant on Wednesday, the event hosted food fanatics and the media to indulge on what guests will soon start munching on.
Some of the food lovers who were on the guest list include Kabo Olesitse of Kooking with Kabo as well as Rachel Tlagae, who has been cooking for DStv viewers on her show dubbed My Botswana Plate. Tlagae is the first Motswana to host her own cooking show on DStv.
Nonetheless, at the menu launch, guests were treated to a wine tasting that featured wines such as Mhudi (Boutique Family Wine), Aslina (Chardonnay), Robertson Dry White (alcohol free) as well as Van Loveren African Java Pilotage amongst others. That was before the commencement of the launch as guests mingled and shared contacts, a very central part of social events of this kind.
For starters, guests were treated to Minestrone soup, Chicken Noddle soup, Amarula Peri Peri Mushroom Chicken Liver with Rye toast, Cobb salad as well as Italian salad. I personally had minestrone soup and Italian salad, which were both delectable and well done. The soup was served hot and for that reason, I wanted more but didn’t want to fill my front as yet. Obviously, I would have that again.
As the night went on, the invited guests were asked to choose what they will have as main dish from ‘signature dishes.’ I went for Beef Fillet Café de Paris (sauce) which was extremely creamy and made the fillet taste the way I expected. There is nothing as implausible as indulging on some tender, red meat after a long day. It was medium rare, which is normally good choice of beef fillet.
Other guests tried out Bacon wrapped Pork Tenderloin, Shrimp Fra Diavol baked Cannelloni as well as Grilled Kingklip with sauce Vierge. Desserts served were Italian kisses, fruit salad with trio of ice cream, Chocolate Lava cake, Masa square Titramisu, Chocolate Brownie served with ice cream and Raspberry, Red Velvet cake.
When speaking on this occasion, Chief Operations Officer (COO), Andrew Kamanga said due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they couldn’t utilize the Don Carlos restaurant purely because there was not fit, very low occupancies and customer’s choice of sitting outside, avoiding indoors and the spread of the virus.
“This is an opportunity now especially that it is winter that we reintroduce our menus. Most of our clients are business people but we are tapping into the leisure market but we kept it very simple as most of them are always in a rush. During the pandemic era, we got accustomed to lot of local farmers. The menu stems around very organic ingredients and fresh herbs.”
Kamanga said in these new offerings, they ensured that there are the right ingredients to give out a balanced diet for all customers. For her part, Chef Malebogo Dintwe said the cold season favors lot of people are it gets to erupts more cravings, hence why she served hot dishes.
“We have great ingredients here in Botswana and what we served today is sourced locally. We used quality meet from Senn Foods and most of the farmers supplied us with ingredients that are naturally grown in our home soil.”
The launch also featured an art exhibition by a local artist, Prince Tom. This is a young man who has been instrumental in communicating through art and creative expressions. He also does mural projects, which he says require deep meditation and focus as they are more like having deep conversations with the wall.
Tom has been invited to showcase his art works at various events such as the First National Bank Botswana (FNBB) wine show, Ke Dinaledi Experience and the Forbes Under 30 Summit.
WeekendLife
Creatives taking over 2023
Creativity is seen everywhere and these individuals did something recently that’s never been done before, and some are still killing it. We see creativity on streaming platforms, stages, runways, social media and boardrooms even. Some of them are revamping their businesses, and lately, clothing sale is thriving.
They love concept-driven designs, storytelling and they bring fresh ideas and new perspectives that will leave footprints in the sand. Post the COVID-19 pandemic, these creative minds utilized the drawing board and they became cognizant that monetizing content will actually take them far, which is frank nonetheless.
This is commendable though, but the creative industry will still need support from government in order for it to flourish further. Allocation of resources (funds, facilities and empowerment) should be done consistently, creativity must be raised and at the end of the day, the economy benefits from that kind of investment.
HAN C
Ever since he parted ways with his former manager, DJ Bougee Sid, Mahalapye born-pint sized, multi-award-winning artist, Hanceford Magapatona has been taking up space, unapologetically so. Han C has shown a strong will to take over the entire world, and he is in the right direction. He’s solely organizing the annual Mahalapye Spring Festival, which is taking place next weekend.
The Pepetetsa hitmaker raked some monies from his savings to put together this event. Mahalapye Spring Festival will feature Paige, Ubuntu Band, Khoisan, Amantle Brown and Double Up among others. Even though it didn’t come as a surprise, Han C was nominated at African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) in the US, under Best Male Southern Africa category.
However, the award was snatched by the late South African rapper, AKA. Its not all lost as Han C secured two nominations at the Yarona FM Music Awards (YAMAs): People’s Choice of the Year and Best Male Single.
KOKETSO MOTSWAGOLE
This entrepreneur has turned his dreams into reality, and his promising apparel business is now a fashion destination. Matter of fact, Motswagole weathered the storms to be where he is now because through criticism and social media bullying, he still leads the pack in fashion.
His social media accounts got deleted but through his online store, KM Sales, Motswagole is able to rake in some profits. He initially started selling from his car but now owns a busy store and has employed a number of young people.
KM Sales has been offering fashionable items (shoes, t-shirts, pants) and has been participating in various lifestyle events such as Garden of Drip where it showcases its products.
If there is one young entrepreneur to draw motivation from is Koketso. The business started from humble beginnings, at the time when he worked part time at Ipelegeng as a casual labor. Indeed, good things come to those who wait, or well, work like a slave today, live like a king tomorrow.
KAGISO LUDO DE KLERK
Vee Mampeezy’s ex-wife Kagiso De Klerk clearly did not sit and weep over their dramatic divorce. The famous social media influencer hurriedly picked up the pieces and went hard on promoting business online. She literally took social media influencing to the head and it is working for her.
This year saw her partnership with Shell reach greater heights, and obviously, she is raking lot of pulas from the deal. Kagiso has been making frequent appearances in top events in South Africa such as Bubbles in Spring and Gold and Diamond Experience.
GAONA DINTWE
After a long break from the limelight, renowned media and radio personality, Gaona Dintwe is back. She was missed by many on TV, and she’s back where she belongs, news anchoring on BTV. Gaona has also found a niche in podcasting. She is a host of her own podcast, Gaona Live Conversation, where various people share their stories on camera.
Some of what they discuss is Gender Based Violence (GBV), polygamy and drug addiction. This is highly commendable because even BTV doesn’t have programs that discuss these crucial social issues. The Lentswelemoruti native is also seen in various corporate events where she is engaged as a host.
WeekendLife
DITIRO LEERO ONE MAN SHOW ON THE PIPELINE
Now that one-man shows are made fashionable, traditional dance guru and ex-convict, Ditiro Leero is joining the crusade and he will be hosting his also. The show will be held next month at Zone 4 Farm in Selokolela, but the there are traditional dance music artists who have been lined up to perform at the show. Matshana, Morwa Leka and Maswailathota will be doing their thing and probably bring some heat too. Ditiro Leero will be making history as the first traditional artist to host a one-man show in Botswana.
WeekendLife
MISS BOTSWANA HAVING MANY IRONS IN THE FIRE
With only two months before Miss World 2023, the reigning Miss Botswana, Lesego Chombo is having many irons in the fire, preparing for the much-anticipated beauty pageant. Miss World 2023 will be the 71st edition of Miss World pageant and it will be held in India. Chombo has been spotted toning her body at Jack’s gym, a requirement that is taken seriously at the pageant. She has also been participating in charity events, something that should add to her profile at the Miss World.