Eric's September award finally arrives

THATO KALA
Correspondent | Tuesday March 20, 2012 00:00

 

Eric scooped the coveted award courtesy of his famous hit A E Phetehe Thato Ya Hao ahead of gospel heavyweights Benjamin Dube, Ghana's Sonnie Badu and Uche of Joyous Celebration. The song A E Phetehe Thato Ya Hao came up against Dube's famous tune Uyahalalela, Uche's Covenant Song and Badu's Baba. But the modest artist could not attend the annual award ceremony, which recognises and celebrates musicians from different parts of Africa, after failing to secure funding. 'It's quite a relief and I'm happy that it has finally arrived.

I thank God for the award,' an elated Eric told Showbiz.

He revealed that he was assisted by his international agent who collected the award and brought it to Botswana last week. 'I did not go for the awards because I was not able to secure financial sponsorship to travel for the ceremony. It was also a hassle for the New York people to bring it home. I was assisted by my international agent in the US for the award to be brought to Botswana,' he said. Eric approached the Office of the President, Department of Youth, Botswana National Youth Council and several Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) seeking funding, but his efforts hit a snag. 

'I approached quite a number of departments seeking funding but it seems they did not have faith that I would win. After I had won the award, I went back and they asked why those people were not shipping the award to Botswana,' Eric said.  

He added: 'I think they don't really recognise the arts or maybe it's because it's gospel music that I sing.' 

Apart from that, Eric singles out 2011 as an overly fruitful year after another international nomination in the Africa Gospel Music Awards (AGMA) in London, United Kingdom (UK). He however, missed out on an award in London.

'I saw God manifesting his power and causing me to breakthrough internationally. So it was really a fruitful year - being recognised in Africa among gospel giants. It was a big motivation.'

Locally, Eric has previously won the Best Performing Arts Award at the Botswana National Youth Council (BNYC) Awards in 2008. He was also nominated for Best Male Gospel artist in the 2007 Botswana Musicians Union (BOMU) awards.