Mmegi

Botswana hosts second JAAM FEST

Hosting JAAM FEST in Botswana also tells a broader story
Hosting JAAM FEST in Botswana also tells a broader story

On August 9, 2025, Gaborone, Botswana will host the second edition of the Jive Africa Annual Music Festival (JAAM FEST). I co-founded the festival alongside local artists Chedza Pansiri, Kabo Leburu, Oliver the Poet, Solly Sebotso, and Jay-Jay Musi.

From the outset, our goal was simple yet ambitious: to create a space where African creatives can grow, share their work, and thrive—without feeling compelled to seek validation or opportunities abroad.

We launched JAAM FEST in 2024 with a modest budget of P12,000. Despite limited resources, the festival came to life through inspiring performances by the Royal Jazz Band, the gifted visually impaired Zimbabwean keyboardist Musi, and celebrated Botswana artists including Sebotso, Gaolaolwe (known as Oliver the Poet), and Leburu.

Editor's Comment
Depression is real; let's take care of our mental health

It is not uncommon in this part of the world for parents to actually punish their children when they show signs of depression associating it with issues of indiscipline, and as a result, the poor child will be lashed or given some kind of punishment. We have had many suicide cases in the country and sadly some of the cases included children and young adults. We need to start looking into issues of mental health with the seriousness it...

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