16 Aug 2018

 It goes without saying that Kang in Kgakagadi North is endowed with talent, especially dikhwaere.
In just under two weeks, Mahusane choir scooped position one at the President’s Day arts competitions under dikhwaere category. The duet of Keobaka and Keaorata Sakarea aged 33 and 25 respectively joined the bandwagon with an album titled Nnana Wame, which was recorded, mixed and mastered at Electrical Voice Studio Production. The title track Nnana Wame is a happy love song fused with ululations and whistles to create pomp and will certainly become a hit with song and dance lovers. The song has all the makings of a true dikhwaere track.
Koma is yet another well composed slow jam, which somewhat turns out to be a call to Batswana, especially the youth not to abandon their culture. The album also encourages upcoming artistes to commercialise traditional music with a view to preserve it.
With a touch of disco beats, the album follows in the footsteps of the likes of Dr Vom of Tsaya Thobane fame, Gongmaster and Ditiro Leero who have adeptly incorporated modern beats and rhythms into traditional music over the years.
What all started like small faltering steps and a mere hobby singing dikhwaere music in the village, for Keaorata and his brother might soon put bread on the table. Like any young person tossed by a  burning desire to make something of themselves, Keaorata once tried his hand at Hip-hop and Rhumba but later decided to change course and team up with his elder brother for the home brewed project.  
The duet said they opted for traditional music as a conduit to transmit Setswana cultural values across generations. They wished to one day collaborate with other artistes to broaden the scope of traditional music and possibly spread their wings across the region and beyond. They have so far performed at Mokaragana Local Talent Show, weddings and parties with a view to promote the album and would soon drop some copies of the album across different local radio stations.
While faced with teething challenges like slow sales, failure to secure funding and a full-time, manager among others, he said they were motivated by the feedback they received from fans.
They have urged other young people to find meaningful ways of sustaining themselves rather than giving up on their dreams and talents in the face of unemployment. ENDS