Mosadi makes Batswana women proud, special

MAUREEN ODUBENG
Staff Writer | Tuesday March 10, 2009 00:00

 

Organised by four youthful minds - Tshepo Sikwane of Big Dawg Productions, Mpho Laing, journalist and fashion editor of Lapologa magazine, Bakang Sebele, who is the founder of the non-profit organisation, Youth Alive, which focuses on HIV/AIDS and related issues and how they affect the youth and Native Impressions' Communications, Public Relations and Change Management Senior Strategist, Lepang Ferguson - the event turned out to be a night of entertainment, and recognition of contributions and achievements, scored by Batswana women.

The night kicked-off with a performance by three young girls who go by the name Ground Zero, which was followed by a fashion show, featuring clothes by four different designers.

In line with the night meant to celebrate women's accomplishments on a global scale, the designers decided to showcase clothes for different body builds, from skinny women to big-bodied women, with encouraging words, from the Master of Ceremony on the night, Tshepo Ntshole.

The fashion show, contracted and rubbished perceptions held by certain people that one needs to be thin to feel and look good, or model. Models on the night, both thin and 'full-bodied', exhibited much confidence and looked good showcasing the exquisite designs, simply proving that looking good has nothing to do with body size, but knowing how to dress appropriately. Renowned local Hip-hop artist Desma 'Ice Queen' Basson did her fair share of making the celebration memorable, performing songs that had relevance to the day. With her beautiful voice, Ice Queen performed a few songs, with loaded lyrics that touched the soul, while at the same time giving inspirational and motivational messages.

The songs she picked, for the night, touched on the hardships that women and the girl-child endure, but at the same time encouraging women to be strong. She went a step further performing with a live band, something that is still rare in this country, as most musicians, computirise their instruments and only bring the voice to the stage, something which certain music lovers find unfulfilling. Another remarkable performance was that by renowned poet Andreatta Chuma, who also chose relevant poems for the night.

Her first poem captured the pains suffered by abused women, challenging everyone to stand up against abuse of women.

Her closing poem was a poem on love.Attendees were also treated to the screening of a documentary, of Batswana women from different walks of life sharing their experiences.

Women featured in the documentary include founding member and former president of Emang Basadi, Ntombi Setshwaelo, former Member of Parliament (MP) for Tlokweng and Managing Editor and owner of the Botswana Gazette Clara Olsen, activist and editor of The Voice, Beata Kasale, founder of Matlo go sha Mabapi organisation, Leabaneng Masedi, former judge and human rights activist Unity Dow, and Attorney General, women rights activist and founding member of Emang Basadi Athaliah Molokomme.