AFRIMMA founders visited Botswana
Ulla Setswalo | Wednesday December 17, 2014 19:31
Botswana Entertainment Promoters Association Chairperson, Zenzele Hirschfeld hosted them and also arranged meetings with Youth, Sport and Culture (MYSC) Minister, Thapelo Olopeng, Brand Botswana as well as other stakeholders.
Africa Muzik Magazine featured Chubb Heightz on one of their editions. The award ceremony caters to all music genres such as Kwaito, Lingala, Afrobeats, Hip-Hop, Bongo, Decale, Funana, Genge, and Soukous to mention a few.
These first were held in July 26, 2014 at Dallas, Texas in the United States of America.
Multitudes flew from across the globe to attend the first ever AFRIMMA awards in America, a never seen before event that was stylish and glitzy. Botswana’s nominees to the AFRIMMAs were Game ‘Zeus’ Bantsi and Kearoma Rantao who unfortunately did not pick up any awards.
They did, however, get an opportunity to network and establish relationships with other African and international artists.
“The first time I saw Kearoma on stage, I was blown away and felt that she exuded what Africa is all about through her voice and the dress she wore,” said Ofeoma.
She further said that Kearoma and Zeus had an unforgettable experience in Texas, which Zeus affirmed.
Hirschfield told the stakeholders that her organisation want to build relations with AFRIMMA so as to promote local artists, open opportunities for collaborations between local and international artists as well as selling our country to the world.
“There can be mentoring workshops to empower local artists and also prospects of hosting AFRIMMA 2015 pre-party,” said Hirschfeld.
Zeus also welcomed the idea of Botswana partnering with the Obiagwus and AFRIMMA as it offers huge opportunities to make local stories heard worldwide.
He further said this is a good way of taking Botswana to the world.
Anderson Obiagwu revealed that AFRIMMAs is part of a movement that he would like Botswana to join in promoting Africa, its culture, and tourism through rich music.
He further noted that it was unfortunate how Botswana artists are unheard of in developed countries and are not fully supported by government and the private sector.
Gaorekwe Gaorekwe of Brand Botswana stated that his organisation was keen on building a partnership with the Obiagwus and their movement because they recognise the impact that music makes in the world.
”We would love to see our local stars performing at the next AFRIMMAs, especially the traditional music groups and we are excited about this,” said Gaorekwe.
He further said he welcomes the idea of hosting an AFRIMMA pre-party next year, as it would add to the build up events of 2016 celebrations.
The partnership will also enable more music videos and other projects being shot in Botswana, especially at our tourism destinations. This will open many doors for the creative industry as well.