08 Jul 2018

Vocally gifted Edwin Baitse on Friday July 6 night emerged the winner of the 12^th season of the celebrated music talent show, My Star, winning a whopping P100 000 cash. 

Baitse was declared the winner during the show’s grand finale which was held at Tlotlo Conference Centre. Nnete Motshwarakgole and Prince Mophuting scooped second and third positions pocketing P30 000 and P20 000 respectively.

Obakeng Matebu and Laone Sekanonyana got position four and fifth respectively and were each given a consolation prize of P5 000 cash. 

Giving an overview of the whole event, My Star managing director, Keabetswe ‘Master Dee’ Sesinyi said this season was one of the toughest they had ever gone through because of limited sponsorship but with determination they managed to pull through. 

He noted that the talent show had produced socialite and good presenters, singers as well as camera operators among others, whom some had gained employment with Botswana Television, radio and the private press hence it should be supported and nurtured. 

He said while there was a lot of pressure on the part of government to provide jobs especially to the youth, the private sector should equally create jobs through an enabling environment created by government. 

Speaking at the event, acting Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development Dikgang Makgalemele advised Sesinyi to document the origins of My Star because it was very instrumental in the lives of Batswana.

Though it was going through a difficult period, he said this time around it managed. 

Makgalemele said the fact that this time around auditions were conducted in Lobatse and Gaborone alone where only 30 contestants were drawn, paints the ugly picture the entity was in.

He however said government would continue to invest on the youth, which in turn would assist in creating employment. He said programmes such as My Star had increased local contect on Btv and should be supported.

Minister Makgalemele noted wthat the reality show had come far and had  reached an important milestone in the country’s local television. 

“The collaboration between My Star, ministry of health, ministry of youth, Collegium Publishers, BQA, Adansonia Hotel, Choppies and all media houses and independent operators in arts and creative industries of Botswana has demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt that strategic partnerships can work to help in the government’s efforts to diversify the economy,” he said. ENDS