Mission Accomplished For The Hamptonettes
Spira Tlhankane | Monday April 30, 2018 18:00
Hamptonettes as the festival’s fans are called came in satisfying numbers to attend this year’s event. It was the main headliner Billy Ocean who brought a different atmosphere when he hit the stage just before midnight.
The legendary pop icon who was very popular in the 1970s and 80s showed that he is still relevant even with the younger crowd. Even though the crowd was not as expressive as it should have been with an artist of his calibre, Billy Ocean managed to dish out some of his popular hits like Loverboy. When he arrived on stage, he first started performing the song Are You Ready and some sections of the crowd could not believe the Trinidadian-born English recording artist was actually there on stage.
Billy Ocean, who has released many hits during his long career in music, was able to select relevant songs for his crowd.
When he performed his popular songs like Nights (Feel Like Getting Down) and Colour Of Love, the crowd was able to sing along.
Even after the grey-haired legend left the stage, other headliners like Zahara were able to continue the Hamptons experience. Real name Bulelwa Mkutukana, Zahara was one of the artists the crowd was raring to see. Always bringing her A-game, Zahara’s performance was even greater as she sang songs well known to the crowd that enjoyed the best jazz festival in Botswana.
When she performed Beirongo, a song she did with the late Robbie Malinga, Zahara was able to honour the award-winning producer on a Botswana stage for the first time.
The crowd was even more excited when she performed Loliwe, a song that made her a household name. The legendary Bhudaza from Lesotho also lit up the night with his Afro jazz music and his hits like Tjontjobina bringing back past fond memories for the fans. The Bo Mapefane hitmaker serenaded the crowd with his skills on the saxophone.
Locals did not want to be left out as legendary artists like Soccer Moruakgomo and Ndingo Johwa showed that they still have attention from a devoted audience like the Hamptonettes.
Thabang Gabarogwe, Shanti Lo and Nnunu Ramogotsi also performed. Despite the successful event, Amanda Black who was scheduled on the lineup did not show up and later posted on her Facebook page that the organisers did not pay her.
“To all those who have been waiting for me to perform at the @hamptonsjazzfest #MonateWaBotsadi in Gaborone tonight. I’m so disappointed to tell you that I won’t be performing anymore.
The organisers did not make payment as agreed. I was looking forward to the performance so much as this was even my first performance in Botswana. Definitely will be coming back and do my own show. Thanks for the love,” reads the post.