Born and Raised organisers promise clean fun

Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Tuesday October 17, 2023 06:00

One of the organisers, Goaba Mojakgomo says they have stiff security measures in place to mitigate any situation that might arise at the Born and Raised festival PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

The sixth edition of the music festival, which takes place at the Serowe Sports Complex every festive season, was marred by commotion after experiencing a high turnout, which put a strain on the festival’s security.

As the organisers prepare for this year’s show, which is the seventh edition, they said top of their priority is to ensure their patrons have clean fun this time around.

One of the organisers, Goaba Mojakgomo, said during a sponsorship launch on Friday that they have stiff security measures in place to mitigate any situation that might arise on the day. “Reflecting on the previous festival, I must admit that the attendance surpassed what we had targeted. We were caught off guard and we didn’t prepare for the numbers that attended.

We were prepared for the numbers that we targeted. But unfortunately, the interest of the show rises year in and out hence the commotion that transpired. We have come up with measures to mitigate that,” he said.

Mojakgomo also indicated that among other things, they have increased the ticket prices for this year’s edition with the early bird ticket selling for P200 while standard is P250. In the past, the festival’s early bird ticket sold for P150 while the standard was P200. “We are also going to stop selling tickets a week before the festival.

This is to ensure that we adequately prepare for the numbers as per the ticket sales and discourage last minute purchases that usually disadvantage music promoters,” he explained.

Furthermore, he said there would be different routes and gates for entry and exit to ensure that there is no commotion. This year’s edition will be powered by retail store, Liquorstop, which comes in as title sponsors after they signed a partnership deal with Born and Raised.

Meanwhile, Liquorstop head of marketing, Thapelo Mmono, said having been in the event space, she understands the challenges and hardships of putting together a show of such magnitude. She said the organisers of the event deserve a pat on the back for having hosted the show for the past six years and trying to take Botswana to the world. She said tickets for the show will be sold at all their outlets countrywide. Early bird tickets will start to be sold from October 16-31st while standard tickets will sell from November 1 to December 16. The festival will happen on December 22 at the Serowe Sports Complex.