GIMC: Dazzling musical spectacle is on!
WeekendLife
The region’s biggest music spectacle of all time, Gaborone International Music and Culture Week (GIMC) is on cards. This is not a series of music performances and creativity that one gets to remember for a weekend or until the next music festival rolls around, GIMC has left footprints in the sand and everyone is content.
Despite the biggest part of the series being cancelled this year, GIMC festival, the show goes on nonetheless. The concert is invalided because the venue is out of bounds, and Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) is giving social events organizers the middle finger.
This is primarily because Botswana is working around the clock to win a bid of hosting AFCON 2027, so stadiums (host of GIMC festival) are locked for purposes of inspections and everything in between.
It has been confirmed that other segments of GIMC series will go on. When addressing the media at Losha Bush Lodge this week, in quite a unique, VIP treatment, Director at Leapfrog and the brains behind GIMC, Fish Pabalinga, a lot is on the pipeline as per the culture of the busy week that is GIMC.
GIMC is not all about fun and music. The event has incorporated an element of fitness, and it as been doing do without fail. The GIMC Fitness Challenge will feature the country’s top fitness trainers and enthusiasts: Chyna Mokaila, Grace Motswana, Yoga with Nana, Mandisa and Moi’Killa and Kaone. The challenge will be held in the CBD at Sky View.
The next day will see GIMC fans be serenaded by South African power jazz artists: Zonke and Vusi Nova of As’phelelanga fame. The legendary Banjo Mosele, who has been playing a guitar for so many years will join the duo alongside Socca Moruakgomo and Nono Siile, a renowned songstress known for her all-time hits such as Borre.
On Sunday post the jazz party, lifestyle lovers will dress up in vivid spring themed outfits, ready to rock the red carpet at the Champagne picnic, a top, high fashion part of the GIMC series. To be held at Purple Paradise, GIMC Champagne Picnic is an elegant afternoon of rich company, music, fashion and lots of bubbles. Guests will be treated to a bottle of LP Champagne Brut and delicious food.
Clap and Tap is also catered for at the GIMC musical spectacle. Coming post jazz, comedy and champagne picnic, the gospel affair will be going down at the Molapo Showcase and will feature Lejwe la Motheo, Dineo tsa Tumelo, Baitshepi ba Jesu and St John choir.
Meanwhile, Pabalinga set the record straight on why as GIMC management they cannot host the festival in a different location and or venue. “GIMC festival is no doubt the biggest part of the music week but it won’t be happening this year. The main reason is that the venue that we normally use is not available. It is very important that the festival be held within the right environment. The sad thing when the festival doesn’t happen is that the value chain suffers a lot.”
Pabalinga indicated that a lot of money is spent putting together the festival. “We spent over P200K on flights through Air Botswana because we are deliberate that when we bring international artists, we use Air Botswana. We also spend more than the same amount in booking the national stadium. The hotels rake between P100K and P200K, and not only that, the informal sector benefits a lot from the festival. It is very unfortunate that the biggest of events of GIMC is not happening.”
He explained that the GIMC festival cannot be held at a farm or a smaller venue because there are lot of patrons attending the concert, therefore it will be a risk to lot of factors and properties, such as people and cars.
When speaking to this publication, BNSC Chief Spokesperson, Tuelo Serufho, said he is not aware that event organizers have not been responded to despite many attempts to rake out answers from their organization.
“It’s actually true that we had slowed down in as much as entertainment is concerned. We want to get done with this phase of AFCON Bid inspection then that’s when we can get back to them. It is a mistake that they haven’t been responded to but we ought to do so. We owe to them that we still preparing for this upcoming football event.”
Serufho stressed that the entertainment industry is equally important as the players are frequent users of their facilities (stadiums). “However, we have stadiums that are not out of bounds. The Maun and Serowe stadiums are not lined up to be used for the AFCON Bid so they can be used at any time.”
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.