Botswana celebs that made it and breakout
Dumisani Ncube | Friday April 17, 2015 15:12
Lorraine Lionheart
Singer-cum-philanthropist, Lorraine Lionheart, is one of the fast growing local artists based in the United Kingdom. She has headlined a number of international music festivals in countries such as Norway, Sweden, Hong Kong and South Africa. Lionheart’s music is played in a number of radio stations around the world including BBC radio. Her music is in Setswana and English.
She has released a number of Afro Blues tracks such as Solomon, About A Girl and Naledi. She has been likened to Angelique Kidjo, Simphiwe Dana and Paul Simon. Apart from music she is a renowned philanthropist who has managed to help a number of people and communities. Her recent work was spearheading the campaign to raise funds for Abbie Ntshabele while miles away in UK.
Zeus
The 29-year-old has been nominated in a number of international awards such as the Channel O awards and the Africa Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA). He is one of the first rappers in the country to commercialise local hip hop and take his music across the boarders.
His first offering in 2008 Freshly Baked earned him the Channel O Best Hip Hop Video award. Zeus also won, Channel O’s Most Gifted Male Video award for the music video, Das Wassup
He has collaborated with a number of established African artists such as Khuli Chana, AKA and Malawian rapper, Lomwe. Zeus was once ranked, as fourth on the MNET top 10 African rappers in their 2010 compilation, he was also seventh in a top 15 South African rappers list in the same year. He has released a number of albums such as Africa Time, Flip Side and Honey I’m Home mixtape.
Kaone Kario
The internationally acclaimed model, actress and aspiring TV presenter burst into the scene in 2005 when she won the Nokia Face of Africa title. The Maun model has become a formidable force in the modelling industry and she has travelled extensively. She has had an opportunity to work with a number of modelling agencies such as Wilhemina Models in New York. She has appeared as a model for a number of designers on the ramp and magazines such as Elle, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan and Glamour. Kario has also managed to venture into the small screen. Her latest television appearance was in Vuzu Amp’s new- age drama, Ayeye. She has also auditioned for SABC’s Top Billing presenting role.
Scar
The Molepolole-born rapper who is the first in Botswana to release a solo studio album has a career spanning from as far as 2001. Scar’s versatile lyrics have managed to win hearts across Africa as he managed to win Channel O Spirit of Africa Awards’ Best Hip Hop Award with his Metlholo video. He became the first Motswana to win the award. He also worked as one of the judges on Idols East Africa in 2008.
Ndingo Johwa
This list would not have been complete without the inclusion of Jazz legend Ndingo Johwa who is ranked among Africa’s music legends such as Hugh Masekela, Ray Phiri, Salif Keita and Oliver Mtukudzi. Johwa has worked with the likes of Judith Sephuma, Mtukudzi and Ringo.
The experienced musician found his own sound called IkaJazz. His fusion of IkaJazz and rhythmical jazz music has managed to steal hearts continentally, especially in the Southern Africa region. He has won numerous awards, which include three Botswana Musicians Union awards.
Johwa has released albums such as Phondanyama, Goledzwa, Tjibhako and Batalaunda.
DJ Fresh
Thato Sikwane well known as DJ Fresh worked as a local radio presenter back in the 1990s before relocating to South Africa where he joined youth radio station YFM in 1997.
DJ Fresh who is now working at 5 FM has a career in both radio and music that has earned him international recognition in countries such as France, Brazil and Spain. His music collaborations with fellow radio presenter DJ Euphonik paved way for them to perform at high-class events where they have shared the stage with the likes of Martin Garrix, Hardwell, and Armin Van Buuren. As a solo artist he has more than 20 house music albums. He is one of the most respected urban house music artists in South Africa and the region.
Connie Ferguson
Born 44 years ago in Gaborone, Connie Ferguson is no stranger to the television screen. She is well known for her role as Karabo Moroka on South Africa’s popular soapie, Generations where she has been acting for more than 15 years.
Ferguson has grown her acting career to becoming a film producer, model and investor. She is currently running a film production company with her husband, Shona Ferguson. Apart from Generations she has also appeared on The Wild, and on Rockville as a troubled mother, Mavis Mabaso.
Also worth mentioning are Shanti Lo, Kearoma Rantao, Berry Heart, Donald Moalosi and Moratiwa Molema who have managed to leave their mark in far off places.