Ex-Btv newsreader aims to jack up local music

EPHRAIM KEORENG
Staff Writer | Wednesday September 19, 2012 00:00

 

Speaking to Showbiz on Monday, Phuthego said he was working on arranging monthly live performances by various artists. Already preparations are at an advanced stage for the inaugural show, dubbed 'Benson in Concert Live Band Performance' on September 28 at Maitisong in Maruapula, Gaborone.

Phuthego, a former Botswana Television (Btv) newsreader, says that the shows will be action-packed with a medley of poetry, music and dance fused with chorale and a host of other genres. He said that the inaugural show is themed around Boipuso (Independence Day), to celebrate Botswana's success story for the past 46 years since it gained independence from Britain on September 30, 1966.

Some of the artists expected to set the Maitisong stage on fire include Phuthego himself, who sings Afro-jazz, woman of jazz the sensational Punah Gabasiane, and Royal Tenors, which will be backed by piano and live band to make their voices beautiful. 'Those guys are terrific,' adds Phuthego.

He says Gaborone Philharmonic Voices will render choral, marabi and traditional music. The other group that will also take to the stage at the show is Makala, who will serve a hot township mbaqanga performance.

'There is a song that I collaborated on with them and it's called Jive Bumb Bumb. I will also sing some songs from my new album,' he tells Showbiz.

The entrance fee is P350 for VIP tickets with a free CD and snacks while others go for P250.The live performance is to be sponsored by Mmegi, Duma fm, Big Foot Tours, KMN Plant Hire and Haulage, Medium Multimedia, and Benbell.