MAUNATLALA: The annual Tswapian Bolus music event hosted in the village of Maunatlala took place this Christmas, despite a lot of challenges, including downpours and a bad start.
At the beginning of the event, the technical team arrived extremely late to set up at the venue, meaning that the event start late at 9PM.
To add salt to the injury, the rain was not on the side of the organisers and revellers. For about two hours, midway into the performances that had already started to fire the stage from Latimmy, Khoisan, Ancestral Ritual and female Dj KayDee, the rain disturbed the sound. For more than an hour revellers were left with no sound or light.
Out of frustration and having lost patience, some started throwing bottles at the stage and as if things could not get worse, one of the main entertainers on the day, ATI, did not show up.
However the organisers quickly made amends by bringing in South African artist, Paige,to cover up for the ATI no-show. Paige gave an electric performance and revellers quickly forgot that the ‘Setimamolelo’ hit-maker had not pitched up.
The appearance of a fire truck at the festival raised hopes that ATI was in the area, but revellers were left disappointed. Of late at music shows, whenever a fire truck appears, it is almost certain that ATI will appear, coming down on stage from the truck. However, this was not to be for Tswapians and as soon as it was determined that ATI would not come, the truck left.
The show however did go on with another exciting performance from Master KG.
Following the challenges, the station commander went on stage to announce that police had resolved to extend the permit hours and that all entertainers would perform even beyond the initially stipulated cut-off of 6am. The announcement was greeted with loud cheers from the crowd.
Popular kwasa kwasa legend, Franco also set the stage on fire dishing out some of greatest hits, followed by Solly Moholo.
But it was Tswapians’ home-girl Charma Gal who shut down the event in style with a performance that lasted an hour and a half.
Charma Gal, who hails from a village just 27 kilometres away from the event venue, was truly at home as revellers danced and sang along to each of her songs. But it was the ‘Maselesele’ hit which the attendees wanted on repeat.
During Charma Gal’s set, the rain was unforgiving, but her fans withstood the test as they danced along while soaking wet. Her performance reminded everyone why she is called ‘Kgosi ya Mosadi’ by her industry colleagues.
