The state of entertainment in Gaborone

Thalefang Charles
Staff Writer | Friday August 10, 2012 00:00

What happened to the little vibey city that hosted the original 'bedroom bully' Shabba Ranks, Maxi Priest, Commodores and UB40? What about the Gaborone of Carling Black Label, Monate Sukiri and the Togetherness festival? The days of House of Blues (HOB), Legends, Meribo and Zebras clubs are long gone; even the recent fun years of Ozone, Chez Ntemba and Fashion Lounge are history.

The city's entertainment scene has changed for the worse. This has affected everyone, from children to adults. It is so bad that it appears school children no longer want to attend the Trade Fair because of lack of entertainment found there. There are no albino pythons, no big music show at the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) stand; in fact there are no soldiers at the 'show.' Not only are they absent from the 'show,' there isn't even BDF Day held at the National Stadium. No BDF comics, no tug-of-war, parachute landing or an amazing flight display. Soldiers are now feared in Gaborone because lately, residents have been reminded that they can actually kill. This is sad because city dwellers grew up mostly familiar with the aforementioned soldiers, unlike in most world cities, they knew the ones who entertained members of the public at the Gaborone National Stadium.

The National Stadium is closed, Gaborone does not even host Independence Celebrations: How sad. President Sir Ketumile Masire and later Festus Mogae used to arrive in those vintage Rolls Royce's with a majestic escort parade of white BDF horses at the National Stadium on Independence Day. Nowadays, the city only puts up torn triangular shaped decorations along the streets prior to the day. But on Independence Day Gaborone feels like a ghost town as most people leave to go and 'eat Boipuso' at their home villages. Where is the fun in that?

Gaborone city dwellers don't have 'lala vukas' anymore. It is so unfortunate that nowadays the new generation only hear about six-to-six parties through elders' nostalgic conversations.  It is unbelievable that parties in Gaborone used to last until the early morning cries of cockerels sounded: Even South African jazz group Future made a song about it; 'Party Weekend in Gaborone.' Nowadays soldiers shut down parties, even baby showers and those mysterious bridal showers are not spared.  Four young city Djs who go by the name House Junkies tried to revolutionise the party scene but they too have since run out of steam as police nowadays arrest and detain DJs and their music systems if they do not obey the new law. What happened? One Gaborone resident says, 'Jamie Foxx and T-Pain summarised it well; 'Blame it on the ah-ah-ah alcohol.' She is probably right, ever since the passing of the Trade and Liquor Act which came into effect on April 1st, 2008 (Ironically the day Ian Khama ascended to the president's office), entertainment in Gaborone took a nose dive.

The Trade and Liquor Act which was inspired by the then new President Ian Khama, who never hid his hatred for alcohol has contributed immensely to the bore that this city has turned into. Beer halls, pubs and shebeens, where residents used to pass the time, have been either closed or operate on very strict limited hours. In fact shebeens - the soul of any African city - are now gone. No more rushing to the famous Gaa-Mma Marete shebeen to buy beers after hours. When the bars close at midnight (strictly Fridays and Saturdays), alcohol cannot be found anywhere in the city. At midnight Gaborone residents are expected to have finished their outdoor fun. One cannot even have cheap local beer anywhere.

Every month-end, a few minutes before seven in the evening, there is a rush to 'Bottle stores' where people buy cheap liquor as drinkers race to beat the seven o'clock closing time. It is unlike back in the day when revelers would drink their cheap beers slowly, knowing that after the bars closed it was then time to head to night clubs. Things are so bad that nowadays city residents only find solace in academic and high class entertainment like opera and Shakespeare plays - a blessing in disguise maybe? The annual Maitisong Festival is no longer just the stuff of the diplomatic community and arts purists as more city dwellers with fewer options to choose for entertainment.There is hope however, to see events such as Spin City coming to the city is one example of hope shining through: The event was once regarded as unruly and dangerous, is now legalised and coordinated so well that it has the support of Botswana Tourism Organisation and the police - who were its nemesis. Lately, even South African Tourism came to the rescue of Gaborone when they sponsored famed South African artists to come and perform at Gaborone Easter bash.

Last month the city hosted international jazz legends; Joe Sample and David Sanborn. Botswana craft is also helping with their Mascom Live sessions. A few weeks ago, there were reports that American rapper Bow Wow is on his way here and just this week it was announced that the South African rock group, Parlotones will rock Gaborone as well. It seems the future of city's entertainment scene is bright after all.