Winnie Mashaba�s album sold like hotcakes in Botswana
Thato Kala | Wednesday November 12, 2014 12:46
Mashaba has repaid Batswana for their support by performing for charity and being a judge at the country’s first gospel talent search show which was held last week, at no charge.
After the Joyful Ambassadors auditions held in Gaborone this past Saturday, Mashaba told contestants and members of the audience that she regarded Botswana as her second home because of the massive support she had received here.
“Exodus 20 sold more copies in Botswana than in any country around the world.
That’s why I regard Botswana my second home,” she said.
The album sold over 25,000 copies although it is unclear how many copies Batswana bought.
Mashaba has performed in Botswana several times, perhaps more than any other South African artist, in her gospel music career that spans for almost 12 years.
“I have a huge fan base in Botswana and they have been great to me and appreciated my music.
Botswana is the only country that gave birth to my musical career from the beginning when I recorded my first album Exodus 20 which was released in 2000.
With their support, I was immediately put in the league of great singers selling over 25,000 copies,” she said.
She sarcastically praised Batswana for shying from piracy and buying her original CDs.
Her CDs are among the many albums, which are reproduced and sold at the Gaborone bus rank.
“I know you don’t do piracy here in Botswana, you buy the proper CDs,” she said.
Hundreds of young Batswana attended the auditions at the Museum’s Little Hall. This impressed the award-winning gospel musician.
“It looks like gospel will grow richer and richer because of the talent you guys possess,” Mashaba said.
Exactly a year ago, Mashaba performed at a charity show in Gaborone, belting out tracks from her 12th offing Bophelo ke leeto.
She said the album was well received.
She added that the album was well received adding that she considered herself privileged to be able to plough back into Botswana’s growing music industry.
Mashaba is a decorated gospel star whose accolades include a 2005 KORA Africa Music Award, SA Music Awards and Metro FM Music Awards.
She has also won the One Gospel Best Song of the Year award for Hakena Nako in 2008 and the 2010 Best Female Artist at the Crown Gospel Awards.