Gaborone Youth Singers scoop first position in choral category
Lekopanye Mooketsi | Friday July 11, 2014 12:18
The finals for choral music and poetry competitions were held in Gaborone over the weekend. The winner in the poetry section is Mooko Ramookane from the South Central region. Kabelo Malefho from the Central region scooped second prize.
In the choral music section, the winners are Gaborone Youth Singers with Serowe Symphony taking the second place. The third position went to Camel Choir of Tsabong followed by Maun Choral.
The finals for comedy and drama competitions will be held this weekend. The finalists for the comedy contest are Ouza Moratiwa (Maun), Desire Itani (Letlhakane), Oefile Mokgware (Molepolole), Ihani Majage (Letlhakane), Odirile Brooks (Tsabong), Sedima “The Thriller” Shitah (Maun), Phenyo “The Master” Bojang (Molepolole) and Tshoganetso Bojang from Molepolole.
The finals for other categories will be held during the President’s Day holidays mid July. These would include contemporary music, traditional instruments and DJs competitions.
Contemporary music is divided into various categories like upcoming artist, best back track artist, best live artist and best DJ. For the best upcoming artist, the contestants are Simonsizola (Gaborone), Dipetsa (Serowe), Selonyane (Gantsi) and The boss of Rumba from Gumare. In the back track artist section, the finalists are Batswana Ba Pele (Gaborone), Centy Mududzi (Tsabong), Kale Flow (Francistown) and Velast from Maun.
The best live artist category is going to be contested by Kabo Leburu (Gaborone), Bana G-Town (Gantsi), Bana ba Ntogwa (Francistown) and Les Quanda (Kasane).
A number of DJs have made it to the finals. The list includes Makenno Big Souls (Gaborone), DJ Tech The Drum (Gaborone), DJ Truu, DJ Bieps, B Beckz, DJ Hank (Kang), DJ Core and DJ Jakes.
The traditional instruments category is also divided into categories like segaba, setinkane and katara (acoustic guitar). For segaba championships , Setabosha Khumoetsile from Ngamiland will be slugging it out with Tshetlha Koloti (Kgalagadi), Mhaladi Kealotswe (Central District), Kobamo Sight Mongweotsile (South Central), Lesetlhe Jukajabe (Kgalagadi), Gabanthate Malokela (Central District), Thojane Monnawamafatshe (Ngamiland) and Lorato Mahalelo from the South Central.
In the sentinkane section, members of the audience will be mesmerised by Godfrey Moeng, Moviri Motero, Gakebejeso Tshekelo, Tapane Lukase, Bonang Kamanakao, Goitseone Kojata, Kediutlule Mathule and Kemiitsesamang Makasu.
In the acoustic guitar section, the contenders are Olebetse Motlamme, Maikano Tirelo, Monaga Molefhi, and Solly Sebotso of pidipidi fame, Mothoosele Xlalekigo, Gaobiwe Tapson, Batlaadira Radipitse and Michael Monang.
The principal programme officer in the Department of Arts and Culture, Lilian Thanke said participation in this year’s competitions is high. She said more than 22,000 artists registered for the competition.
“By virtue that registration was high, we believe participation was also higher,” she said.
The presidential competitions are in their sixth year. The objectives of the competitions are to showcase diversity and uniqueness of different cultures as well as to re-awaken the spirit of the nation through the celebration of the arts. The competitions are also aimed to recognise and appreciate the creative talent of local artists and to assist them to realise their full potential towards economic diversification.
The competitions are also meant to raise the profile of artists, empower them and develop the creative industry.
At community level, the competitions are aimed to encourage community participation in cultural activities as well as to encourage elders to work with youths on cultural matters. The competitions are aimed to remind bogosi about their role in cultural issues and to encourage bogosi to assist in the issues of behavioral and other moral issues.