02 Sep 2021

Total Music Group has revealed nominees for the 2021 Botswana Music Union (BOMU) awards where artistes will compete under different categories.

The announcement made in Gaborone on Wednesday by Total Music Group director. Seabelo Modibe, who is also BOMU consultant for the 10th edition awards, paves way for the ceremony scheduled for this month.

Modibe said judging process was based on the present work submitted instead of the popularity of an artiste or any outstanding work they had previously done.

“We had high numbers of entrants from the best gospel artiste, Afro Pop and House Dance categories.

Some had shown interest in wrong categories, however, they were not disqualified but placed under right categories and judged accordingly,” he said.

Meanwhile, Khoisan, Kabelo Tiro, Ashley Gops and Lekwete are the Best Afro Pop nominees. .

Una Sell and ATI, Chef Gustos and  Dato Seiko, De General Double up and MMP family as well as Moganakoma are in the Best collaboration category while finalists in the Best packaged album are Shanti-Lo, Scar, Khoisan and Raptured roots.

William Last aka Motsetserepa, Mmaphala, Chabuya Nature as well as La Tonde and Names have been shortlisted under the Best new comer nominee category. Best group award include the likes of MMP family, Charma Gal and Han C, Chabuya Nature and Khoisan.

Nkwita, Culture Spears, Maghebula, Gape Bame are nominees for the Best traditional dance award.  

Nominees of the song of the year award include Tinto by Motsetserepa, Tsatsaula produced by Charma Gal featuring Han C while Skelem Key produced by Chabuya Nature and Mpoledise from Khoisan.

Other categories include Best kwaito/house, disco afro pop, RnB and best music producers.

Modibe had also stated that more than 300 entrants had shown interests in different categories, however the number was reduced through the judging process by officials from Botswana Music Educators Association.

He said entrants who showed dissatisfaction with the outcomes would be allowed to revisit judges to understand where they fell short.

He said each nominee would be awarded P2 500 even if they did not win so as to appreciate their participation.

For his part, Department of Broadcasting Services director Raymond Tsheko said the department had facilitated the awards with about P1.5 million.

He said the department would continue to commit to creating a conducive environment for all the creative industry players to benefit from the high technology facilities at the department.

He encouraged artistes to always aim for quality end products that would attract more viewership and do well in local and international markets, adding that artistes should not use the pandemic as an excuse to stop exploring their creativity.

BOMU president Phemelo Lesokwane called for cooperation and respect among artistes and the need to support the leadership of the Union saying it would help build a better future generation.

He advised that any differences that crop up should be addressed amicably through right channels. ENDS