24 Jan 2019

Local Jazz sensation, Socca Moruakgomo is set to tour Europe end of February to promote Botswana tourism and indigenous music.

Speaking in an interview, Moruakgomo said the tour would kick start in Milan, Italy, Stockholm, Sweden and end in Berlin, Germany.

Moruakgomo said he has formed an ensemble called Kalahari Roses, which features Punah Gabasiane and Mafitlhakgosi Traditional Dance Troupe who will be performing with him. 

He further said the tour was an exciting moment as it would be the first time ever for him to take a local band to perform alongside him overseas.

The Lefatshe hit maker said the idea behind his one-month tour; Moruakgomo European Tour was meant to promote his music and represent the nation with the aim of fostering cultural exchange with other cultures.

“This tour means a lot to me, especially that I will be touring with Batswana artistes, a youth band for that matter and our country will be represented well and it will allow the artistes to learn from other artistes,” he said.

 Moruakgomo also said the tour would also give him an opportunity to attract music promoters to come to Botswana and experience local music and culture as well as establish working relations with them. Moreover, Moruakgomo said leaving the country for such an engagement means to be the country’s brand ambassadors and would be raising the Botswana flag to also execute local indigenous music.

 “We want to sell our music and rhythm international and to engage in fruitful debates that will market our country,” he explained.

Furthermore, Moruakgomo said the preparations for the European tour were going well as they were busy with farewell concerts around the country.

He said they hope to stage a big concert in Gaborone that would be recorded live in mid-February. Moruakgomo said he does not regard himself as a jazz musician, but a messenger who delivers people’s hardship through song and dance.