Shot in the arm for KTM Choir
Larona Makhaiza | Sunday April 23, 2023 06:00
The money will be used to cover the choir's expenses during the trip. KTM Choir will be traveling to Gangneung, South Korea to take part in the 2023 World Choir Games on July 7. FNBB Foundation Board Trustees member, Dr Lesedinyana Odiseng said with travel expenses very high, the foundation deemed it fit to extend a helping hand to the choir. “Over time, we have come to appreciate the role that the arts play in preserving our culture and traditions. It is through the same arts that others are able to make a living out of.
The FNBB Foundation found it fit to sponsor the KTM Choir to participate at the upcoming 12th World Choir Games at Korea at a tune of P500,000,” Odiseng said. Odiseng further stated that the occasion continues an already existing relationship between the FNBB Foundation and KTM Choir. She revealed they extended the same support to KTM Choir in 2019 when it went to Sweden to compete in the World Choir Games by pledging P300,000. KTM Choir won a gold award during the games.
Now, after four years of being put to a screeching halt, the KTM Choir will now have a fair shot at defending their gold award in South Korea. The competitions are set to run from July 4-14.
Though the competition commences on the July 4, KTM Choir will leave Botswana on the July 7 and return on July 16. KTM Choir manager Gaone Seitshiro revealed that the choir would be leaving late into the competition because they are the defending champions. “We will be leaving to Korea on the 7th because we do not have to partake in the eliminations rounds as we are going straight to the finals to defend our gold award we got in 2019,” he said.
KTM Choir will not only represent Botswana at the World Choir Games, but KTM Choir will represent Africa also at the games as they will be the only choir from Africa at the competitions.
Meanwhile, KTM Choir board member, Judge Mookodi said although FNBB Foundation has come through with a whooping P500,000, the choir still needs more funding. “We are grateful for FNBB Foundation for always being there for us as they have supported us since 2019 but we hope others could follow suit in the footsteps of FNBB Foundation to help sponsor us as we have a budget of P2.3 million to cover all our expenses,” Mookodi said. On other news, Mookodi elucidated that KTM Choir will be celebrating 30th anniversary with the celebrations planned to happen later in the year.