07 Jun 2022

Folklore music greats, Solly Sebotso and Sebongile Kgaile, will represent South East Region, under traditional instruments category at the President’s Day competitions billed for July.

The duo on Saturday won the hearts of adjudicators at the regional competitions at Lion’s Park.The pair has dominated the genre, specifically in the guitar section, since the inception of the competitions in 2008.

Since then, Sebotso’s Morena Pidipidi and Kgaile’s Moruti wa Eloyi songs have been dominating airwaves.

In an interview after the announcement of the results, both of them acknowledged that they had overshadowed fresh talent in the category, but because of lack of other income streams, it was difficult for them to make way for upcoming artists,.

Sebotso said COVID-19 made things even worse, adding artists could hardly make ends since there no bookings.

“With my first album having been unsuccessful, I am now relying on my second album Morena Pidipidi for a living,” he said. Although he said he had new songs, he admitted it was difficult to release another album, citing lack of funds.

For his part, Kgaile, who came second after Sebotso, said he had new songs lined up, but he only needed a good Samaritan to sponsor his second album.

Meanwhile, in the segaba category, Ntsoane Ramontsho of Letlhakeng and Dan Matsake from Ramotswa will represent the region at the nationals, after scooping positions one and two respectively.

In the setinkane category, Mokgweetsi Kabomo from Gaborone and Mantshwabisi’s Sione Ramosese will battle it out with other artists from other regions in the final lap.

Chief adjudicator, Dops Baipidi commended the over 90 artists, who took part in the just ended competitions for their hard work.

He indicated that they were looking for a well composed song with clear melody and whether the artist was in sync with the instrument or not.

He also said it was important that artists were able to control the tempo of the song and not spoil someone else’s composition, in case they were singing a song that was not originally theirs.

Department of Youth, Sport and Culture South East coordinator, Betty Gaotilwe, said the regional competitions went well as evidenced by team work between artists and other stakeholders.

She, however, noted that it was evident that some artists who had gained experience over the years with some having been able to become household names in their own right, needed to graduate from the competitions and pave way for young and upcoming talent.

Gaotingwe said it was a matter that needed thorough consultations with other stakeholders such as the arts council.

Although they hoped that in the near future things could be different, she said economic situation of artists was hanging in the balance hence these kind of competitions presenting an opportunity for them to cash in and make ends meet.

To remedy the situation, she said, more ways were needed to help artists grow in their career.

President’s Day final competitions will be held in different places in July. ENDS