BDF band concerts get under way again

MOSAH MOKGANEDI
Correspondent | Wednesday November 19, 2008 00:00

The event will from then onwards proceed to other areas in the country. The event has proved to be a crowd-puller in the past and the coming one is expected to be no exception, BDF protocol and public relations officer, Major Bernard Ragalase said.

The event is meant to raise funds for charity and features different music genres, including rhumba, rock 'n' roll, kwaito, and traditional. Other concerts will follow in Selebi-Phikwe, Francistown, Tutume, Orapa, Letlhakane, Kanye and with the last one being staged in Ramotswa on December 20. Ragalase explained that the objectives of the concerts are to raise funds for charity as well as 'to take the band to the people'.

Ragalase added that they have achieved their objective in the past, as they have been able to donate funds raised through the concerts to the needy members of the society.
Ragalase said the bands' performance has been improving with years as evidenced by the huge turnout of revellers throughout and that they expect the same this year. He said tickets for the event have already been sold out.

Funds raised from the concerts have helped organisations such as the Society for the Deaf, Childline Botswana, Central Association for the Blind, Masisi Organ Foundation, and Solomon Dihutso Primary Special Education Unit.

BDF band concerts started in 1991 as the then BDF commander and now president Ian Khama's initiative to raise funds for the needy. Ragalase said the event is usually held in cities and major towns and will be alternated around different villages from next year to give each of them a chance to host the event.