I have never favoured the form of media ownership in which government invests taxpayer's money in the promotion of the political interests of the ruling party, as has been the case in the past forty years following Botswana's attainment of independence 40 years ago.

At this stage of Botswana's fake - but nevertheless internationally acclaimed democracy - Btv should be a public entity owned and controlled by government in partnership with a non-governmental interest group.

This will ensure that government is restricted to the pursuit of the public interest that would otherwise be ignored by a strictly 'private' interest whose major interest would be the achievement of super profits. The non-governmental interest would fight for professional standards and pursue efficient coverage of public interest issues, even in the way that they affect the arts.

I hate to say that there appeared to have very little balance in terms of the ethnic representation of the country's population in the people who competed for the prize money at Mokaragana last week.

The gender balance of the groups was not convincing, though thankfully, Shanti Lo and his three member backing female group finally won the first prize. The fact of the matter is that the women were a 'backing group' rather than the 'main act'.

Shouldn't we have seen more female talent at Mokaragana? I believe that there is plenty of female talent in Botswana. The women should not only been singing in sweet and muffled tones behind male performers, but they should also be in the forefront.

Remember Nina Simone! What about Miriam Makeba, Dolly Rathebe, Thandie Klaasen, Joyce Mogatusi of the Dark City Sisters, and the more modern Gloria Bosman or the legendary Ella Fitzgerald. Or Mahaliah Jackson! This has nothing to do with Miso.

In fact the fact of her being a woman is in itself a tribute to the advancement of women in 'showbiz'.

In the end, what matters is not only that she happens to be a woman, but that she does her work with passion. I was just amazed by the way that she was in touch with the show, emotionally and technically. Actually I was the fool who sneaked out to take a leak during the presentation of one group, thereby disrupting the proceedings and forcing a repeat of the performance of the group that ultimately took second prize, Zulas.

Greg let me know about it politely. I just did not know how to explain to producer, Kagiso that I just had to go to the loo. I will not blame that on the delays, which kept us at the studios until the early hours of the evening. 'The show has to go on,' as they say in show business!

I was rather disenchanted that Matsieng did not find a space among the winning groups. They are a traditional dance outfit composing of three men who should not be discouraged from pursuing the modernisation of folk dance. I love you even if you did not win a prize. Perseverance is the name of the game. Get some women into the group and you will be on your way.

I do understand that the categories of judgement, because they are designed for the visual or TV medium, are biased towards what the group looks like, that there must also be an equal emphasis on musicality.

Yes, dress and stage presence are important, but musical competence is the most important. The judges have to be aware of composition and arrangement. They must be aware of the presence of melody, harmony and rhythm in the music to the same degree as they must be aware of the influence that the music - in general terms - will have on the audience.

Having said all that, Miso must be applauded for her efforts. Hopefully, the sponsors of the show see her contribution as Musika does.