Ezra, Ringo collide
Sharon Mathala | Wednesday December 3, 2025 09:09
On Friday night at Botswana Craft, after a notable hiatus, the tradition was revived yet again with a lineup that paired local sensation, Ezra Neethings with South African legend, Ringo Madlingozi.
It was, in every sense, a meeting of the old and the new and this time, the new held its own with surprising force.
The night kicked off with Ezra Neethings who walked onto the iconic stage not as a mere curtain raiser, but as a contender ready to take his place alongside one of Africa’s finest.
Once known primarily as a gospel artist, Ezra Neethings has evolved over the years, refining both his sound and stage presence.
With his hit, Merwalela making waves on TikTok and across local airwaves, he has become one of Botswana’s top-trending artists, appealing to both the youthful digital generation and their older counterparts who appreciate soulful storytelling.
From the moment he gripped the mic, it became clear that Ezra Neethings did not come to just warm up the crowd, he came to set the bar.
His vocals were crisp, his band tight, and his engagement with the audience seamless. There was an ease in the way he commanded the stage.
By the time he rounded off his set, the bar had been raised high enough to stir murmurs in the crowd about whether even a legend could match the energy he had ignited. Then came Ringo.
A familiar face and voice to the Mascom Live Session faithful, Ringo has over the years become a magnet for sold-out shows in Botswana. Friday night was no different, as the venue was packed.
With his timeless voice Ringo wowed the crowd into a catalogue of classics that have marked decades of African music. Where Ezra Neethings brought fire and youthful momentum, Ringo brought depth and emotional resonance.
The audience sang along, often overpowering the speakers as people relived the songs that formed the soundtracks of their youth.
But as Ringo showed his experience with the mic, Ezra Neethings had pushed the envelope. The contrast between the two performances highlighted just how much the local music scene has grown over time.