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
A promising step for public schools, but...

For too long, the state of many public schools has been a source of shame. We have all seen the pictures and heard the stories of broken windows, unreliable water and electricity, topped by classrooms that are not fit for proper learning. The establishment of the Education Infrastructure and Management Company Ltd (EIMC) signals that authorities are finally ready to take this problem seriously. We must commend the government for this initiative....

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