Eric receives KORA honour
Thato Kala | Tuesday October 28, 2014 16:44
The 2014 edition of the prestigious evening that rewards the best artists of the continent will no longer take place on December 14 as earlier planned after the steering committee expressed its solidarity towards the Ebola affected-countries. Sierra-Leone, Cape Verde and Guinea were primarily the affected countries. “Although everything is ready for … the ceremony, we are obliged to postpone it to a later date considering the various reports from the WHO (World Health Organisation) mentioning the ceaselessly increasing number of victims,” KORA organisers said recently. South Africa, hosts of ‘Africa’s Grammy’, has already announced the closure of its borders to people coming from countries affected by the virus.
In an effort to help fight the deadly virus, KORA has picked 53 ambassadors across the continent with Eric representing Botswana.
The 29-year-old musician is excited to work for such a cause. “I’m honoured to be chosen for this prestigious and highly esteemed humanitarian role in Botswana both as spokesperson of KORA and goodwill ambassador KORA 2014/15,” Eric told Showbiz.
This choice by the African musical awards body comes shortly before nominees are to be announced for 2014 Awards.
Eric is eyeing nominations in four categories – the Best Male Artist of Africa, Best Male Artist of Southern Africa, Best Arrangement of Africa and Best Artist of the Continent.
He submitted his new video to his single, Kabiosi. This is not the first time Eric got an international nomination.
In 2012, he won the Afrotainment Museke Awards (MOAMAs) for Best Religious Song courtesy of his hit A E Phetehe Thato Ya Hao ahead of African heavyweights Benjamin Dube and Ghana’s Sonny Badu.
He missed out on an Africa Gospel Music Awards (AGMA) accolade earlier in the same year. But the self-effacing gospel crooner is overjoyed with his role as a goodwill ambassador. His first task is to shoot a video as Botswana’s ambassador that will be uploaded on YouTube about the fight against Ebola.
Eric will also be expected to lobby for solidarity and support from the Office of the President, Ministry of Health and the corporate sector. He said: “We need to get donations of any kind to pass on to the most affected countries by the Ebola virus; and also work with the already existing organisations.” KORA has also mandated its 53 ambassadors to facilitate education of their communities about the killer virus in an effort to ensure-enhanced preparedness in the event that the virus spreads into their countries.
Eric has previously been involved in humanitarian and voluntary leadership roles. Presently, he is a volunteer at Cancer Association Botswana. The Junior Chamber International gave him the nod in 2009 and 2010 when they nominated him for the Top Outstanding Young Persons of the World.