Traditional Music Expo showcases local talent
Tumelo Mouwane | Friday December 11, 2015 15:06
“I am still looking for someone. You know me very well that I associate with light-skinned women. Some have already shown interest on Facebook, but I think she will come back (Charma Gal),”Mogwe told his fans at the annual Botswana Insurance Fund Management (BIFM) Traditional Music Expo at Botswanacraft Tuesday evening.
It was excitement all-round as the two erstwhile lovers and eventual marital partners shared the stage. Mogwe kick-started the show while his ex-wife closed it.
At its 14th anniversary, the expo had brought together experts in traditional music who showcased both raw and refined talent. The audience, made up of mainly foreigners, enjoyed a breeze of crunchy traditional songs throughout the night.
Rangers choir, from Artesia, welcomed the guests with traditional dikwaere tunes, which attendees enjoyed while waiting for the show proper to start. Disk Jockeys did their thing too on the turntables, playing exclusively local traditional music.
Traditional food was served to add credence to the purpose of the event.
Mogwe started the show with a track from his latest album titled Tonkana, the Kulenyane hitmaker also performed Khudu. He freely told people that “I am a man who is with troubling issues”. He nevertheless thanked his fans for their support.
“I am a troubled man, but people, especially the old ladies, are continuing to flock to my rescue. No wonder why you see me gaining weight at this rate,” he said. “People are sending me gifts everyday and they give me hope that things will be okay.”
Kabelo told hundreds attending the event that he was still looking for someone and he has a pool to choose from as some ladies, especially on Facebook have indicated themselves as available.
Moreri Moroka was the next on stage. The always-booked poet, recited a poem lamenting the erosion of Bakwena culture.
Moroka described in fluent Setswana, the characteristics of a real Mokwena man. It was a poem intentionally meant to disgust. He said a Mokwena man took pride in unhygienic habits. when Arnold Sekgee, commonly known as Ramonyaku, took to the stage, his was an interactive affair with his audience as he would tease them and they would in turn break into uncontrollable smirk. Known with his side-splitting physical appearance, it was far much worse on Tuesday evening. His clothes went well with an old metallic dish tied to his waist alongside a pillow. Before they could wipe their tears, Ramonyaku immediately delved into his ever popular number, Tsenya mo dijong kgarebe.
As for Dr Vom, he remained loyal to his signature costume. The two-track maker took the audience by a storm with his Tsaya thobane hit twice. he was thereafter joined on the stage by the Rangers choir which propelled everyone to their feet for some serious dancing.
Therecently crowned best traditional music act, Shumba Ratshega, followed Dr Vom on the stage. Shumba performed his well-known track, Makhirikhiri before sending the expo goers into delirium with his hit song Ke thala dinte.
Charma gal, sealed the event with mostly tracks from her latest album like Ke tswere podi mo bareng and Sekuta sa ga charma girl.
The co-founder of the annual Bifm music expo, Losika Seboni, told Showbiz learnt that the expo was marking its 14th year. Seboni said they are planning to make the show public next year.
“This event has not been a public event since its inception 14 years ago.
We are planning to make the event public just like other events like Ditubaruba and Domboshaba cultural festival’s because we will be turning 50 years of independence. said the show is a platform where local artists enjoyed corperate benefits as the audience include several representatives of embassies, chief executive officer and other cooperate leaders who recognise talent in the same show.
“This is where our local artist get to enjoy opportunities of going overseas to benchmark and represent us. Many embassies and CEO’s attend the show and they pick individual groups to their countries to showcase Botswana out there,” he said.