18 Dec 2019

As the 2019 curtain drops and all readies themselves to usher in 2020, BOPA entertainment desk takes a moment to reflect on the 2019 happenings in showbiz.

For some it was their year while some could not wait to exit it.

One of the highlights is American comedian, businessman, radio and television show host, as well as entertainer Steve Harvey’s visit to Botswana.
Harvey’s visit opened opportunities for young Batswana as he held dialogue and shared his story with them.

He also offered young talented Batswana a chance to work with him on his Family Feud production to be shot in South Africa; and Maxwell Dichi and Neo Aabobe were the lucky two who got the internship opportunity.

Through the annual Botswana International Music Conference (BIMC), local showbiz got a boost with the arrival of Black Entertainment Television (BET), which is Multichoice’ channel for celebrating blackness.

The BET crew came to Botswana and gave local performers a chance to not only present their Electronic Press Kits (EPKs) but also to get as much information on how they could penetrate the African market using the channel.

With their sister channel MtvBase, a music channel on DSTV, they gave local artistes a chance to submit their videos, and tipped them on how to make the best videos.

Botswana welcomed reality television with the launch of Date My Family Botswana, which premiered on Channel 162 on DSTV Multichoice, generating mixed feelings among the local viewers.

The local representatives did not cause the hullaballoo the show is known for when aired.
Usually social networks would be abuzz with viewers posting the notions about the love wannabes.
On fashion, the local fashion designers got the recognition they deserved with First Lady Neo Masisi stepping up and giving them a new breather by wearing their works.

Although leteitshe has been embraced for years, First Lady made it even more appealing to the local fashionista, especially with his ‘BringBackKhiba’ campaign and making it fashionable.

Botswana also made a mark on the international movie stage.

The Blue Mauritius feature film roped a talented local, Mompati Rantuane to work alongside Hollywood Film Producer Dexter Davis as an Associate Producer.

That was not the only opportunity Botswana film industry enjoyed from the production as they selected Mothusi-Brandon Moremi from Mmadinare as the lead character in the film.

Moremi, selected via vigorous auditions, will be joining Hollywood cast among others Anthony Mackie (The Avengers) on the P150m feature film as security chief, to be shot in Cape Town, South Africa next year.

The year 2019 also saw Miss Botswana pageantry move to Selebi Phikwe, and the copper nickel town will play host for the next five years.

The local music scene, highly influenced by South African music industry, was hit by the advent of a new house music niche Amapiano.

Revellers are irresistible to watch when they dance to the electronic dance beat coupled with pouncing cat dance moves, its artistry and captivating rythm.

As in kwaito, capturing the popular imagination of the yesteryear generation appeals to the post millennials and the alfa generation.

While songs such as Shesha by Njelic and De Mthuda, Labantwana la Ma Uber, Kokota, Gigabyte and many more were making waves, Dj Maphorisa has proved versatility by being at the helm of the Amapiano movement, topping the charts with his Amapiano hits.

Locally, the one and only Vee Mampeezy also joined the bandwagon and released a summer hit single Kom Dans, with Amapiano beat.

Mapetla also fused his kwaito hit Santroka with Amapiano string.

Other than being Amapiano whipped, local musicains have released some summer festive hits that were making rounds among the airwaves such as Charmagal’s Dezembeng, HanC’s Happy, Dj Chrispin’s Weekend Lover tunes.

The local newbie also made Setswana fashionable with their hip and happening songs; the likes of Khoi San with Sananapo, Double Up and Tontobeletsa.

MMP Family made headlines when they dominated Yarona Fm awards, scooping three awards of Best Collaboration, Best Single and Song of the Year with their smash hit Chooseday featuring Charma Gal.

The music circle also saw one of Botswana’s seasoned promoters, Mosupi Masole alias Bra Tops retire from the entertainment scene after a two-decade contribution to the industry.

The local patrons experienced a lot of Sunday chill sessions around the country in 2019.

The mushrooming of these Sunday outdoor sessions gave everyone across a choice of entertainment; with Gabane Sunday Ultimate Chill being popular with its diverse monthly themes, and Molapo Leisure Gardens in Francistown and many others.

Popularised by the lawns and gardens ambiance, the Sunday chill sessions seemed to be the relaxed entertainment that music lovers had been craving and waiting patiently for. ENDS