BDF bands crack open their calabash of talent
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Tuesday November 14, 2017 16:01
The night was about nothing but endless entertainment from both the men and women who showcased immense talent from the country’s army. In a more relaxed and joyous atmosphere, different bands from different military bases across the country kept their fans intrigued with their extraordinary talent.
Even though they started the event at a lower pace in the first leg of the event, the bands got the auditorium fired up on the second lap. No. 1 Military Band on the first lap teased the audience with a beautiful performance when they played Sands’ popular song Tigi that was an instrumental act. On the second lap, the group unleashed its talent. It took its performance to the next level. It played songs like Diana by Tekno, Akubuhle by Tshepo Tshola, Brenda Fassie’s Vulindlela, Chomie by Chedza Fane and What is Love by Harder Way.
As if that was not enough, Medley of Popular Songs kept the fire burning with its beautiful performance. The group played Many faces by Butler; Re Batswana by the Stampore; Follow by Amantle Brown; the Wizards of the Desert’s Mpama. Their most beautiful piece that got the audience screaming on top of its voice was when the band’s own ATI lookalike sung Ke lekhete’s new song that has taken the country by storm Khiring Khorong. The young solider got many confused as he entered the stage super energetic like the star himself as he displayed all of ATI’s crazy dance moves. He was wearing black with a black apron like the singer himself.
C Group’s Lazaro sung by Winnie Khumalo got everyone dancing including the president of Botswana who could not resist its beautiful melodies. This time around, HE surprised the audience who expected him to dance to the groups polka as it displayed very beautiful polka dance moves.
It also played beautiful songs such as Fall by Davido whose performance was nothing compared to the army band, Despaccito by Luis Fonsi, Sokwenzanjani by Naima Kay and Satellite by Werrason.
B Goups from Francistown decided to take things an extra mile top. The group of young men and women also kept the audience captivated with its beautiful pantsula and mosakaso dance moves.
This year was the 27th celebration of the BDF concert. BDF Band concerts started in 1991 by the then military commander Ian Khama with a bid to raise funds for charities. The concert was also organised for the military employees to give the nation time to relax and enjoy beautiful music pieces performed by them.
The bands have already contributed a lot to the local music industry as it had produced some of the country’s renowned music giants such as Gongmaster, Franco Lesokwane, Jeff Matheatau, Alfredo Mos, Lister Boloseng and many more.