Expo Botswana, the event coordinators, made sure the event was a red carpet affair and treated the talented teenagers and guests of honour, which included the media like royalty. After the competing teenagers made their grand entrance, Chaos Brothers and Earthquakes who were both 2006 finalists in the same category opened the event. However it was Earthquakes with their breathtaking dance routines that sole the hearts of the audience.
Youthful television personalities Monti, Anita, OBK and Marang compeered the event and they introduced the first performer of the night, the 16-year-old Bianca Gabasiane. Gabasiane who is said to be inspired by her sister, the African jazz diva Puna Gabasiane, sang Mariah Carey's Hero. Acrobatic members of the group Pyro performed a hip-hop dance routine that left many asking for more. However, it would be safe to say the night belonged to Amanados whose kwaito dance drove the youthful revellers into frenzy. It seemed the teenagers could not get enough of the foursome's performance. The pint-sized kwaito dance duo from Francistown, Chiko Boys who must have been the youngest competitor of the night, also won many fans.
Lorato Rantao, who was clad in a beautiful dress, was next and she performed a contemporary folk song called Pelo Robala. Rantao's performance got a lukewarm reception and by then, it was clear that many of the teenagers did not appreciate the efforts of the vocalists.
Jozi 4, a kwaito dance group followed Rantao and their performance revived the attention of the youth although the applause they got wasn't as loud as that of the previous dancers. Hip-hop dance duo Toxic Movers were among the dance group that got the least applause. Thato Nkola sang a contemporary rhythm and blues song and was arguably the most beautifully dressed solo performer.
After Nkola, dance groups Juvenile Virus, Kronicles, Workaholics and Torroski performed, Refilwe Ramogotsi, clad in a beautiful golden dress sang a rendition of Whitney Houston's song 'The Greatest Love Of All' and she did a good job.
Another dance group that did not get loud applause was the kwaito dance duo from Francistown. The last performers of the night were the Traumatics whose outfits were both beautiful and stylish.
Guest performer Palukar followed by Scar then took to the stage. Scar together with his fellow artist Magosi set the place on fire and for a moment it was like the event was a hip-hop festival. When the duo performed, the teenagers went wild and fought to touch their idols.
At the end of the day, there had to be winners and the judges David Molosi aka Skizo, Boitshwarelo Lebang, Itumeleng Tumie Ramsden, Cathy Malejane and Kealeboga Leruele decided that the five finalists would be Bianca Gabasiane, Amanandos, Chiko Boys, Kronicles and Torroski. Kronicles were a surprise inclusion in the top finalists because despite their stylish black pantsula garbs. they failed to impress many.
Usina Sechele, a student at Maruapula, was unhappy that her favourite group Pyro, was not among the top five. However, Kago Tau of the group defended the group's failure.
"Our dance routine was perfect until the CD scratched and this was beyond our control," he lamented.
Emmanuel Modukanela of Amanandos was ecstatic about the group's achievements so far.
"We are going to make our routine more interesting next time around by coming up with hot formulae," he promised.
Those wishing to vote for their favourite teens should type MADTEEN, space, type their favourite teens' number and send their SMSes to Mascom's voting line 14222. Bianca Gabasiane's voting number is 4, Amanandos 5, Chiko Boys 3, Kronicles 1 and Torroski 2.
