04 Jul 2022

Collaboration between South Africa’s Enoo Napa and Botswana’s BennyT is on the cards.

This development followed their encounter at the second edition of the Afro Tech festival hosted by Gaborone International Music Concert (GIMC) on Thursday June 30.

Enoo Napa born Siphiwe Mkhize from Durban said he established working relations with BennyT during the Afro Tech festival as part of the GIMC objective of creating a platform for local artists to forge partnerships with their international peers.

 “Benny T and I will be engaging more on this collaboration,” he said in an interview.

He said another collaboration would be with a female vocalist to be revealed soon.

BennyT, born Benedict Mabe of Kanye, is a house music DJ who is renowned for his infusion of afro rhythms with house music across his growing catalogue of releases. 

He is also a producer and remixer. BennyT was part of the performing acts at the first Afro Tech fest in April.

Clad in a black and white skull monochrome t-shirt and black jeans, Enoo Napa set the Afro Tech fest marquee tent ablaze and danced throughout his set leaving the turntables for the dance floor to engage with his crowd.

 “I make dance music, I play dance music and I want my audience to dance when I am on set,” said Enoo Napa adding that one cannot play dance music as a DJ and not dance.

Another South African DJ, Africa Deep from Limpopo also gave an awestruck Botswana debut performance. 

Real name, Wilfred Mphahlele, Africa Deep’s performance was also one for the books as his set was approved by the crowd. 

Sharing his experience performing first time in Botswana, Africa Deep said Batswana were loyal and knew what they wanted. 

“Botswana is loyal to good music which has been in existence for many decades,” Africa Deep said adding Batswana appreciated house music.

The 24-year-old DJ from Seshego in Limpopo said he was inspired by his neighbour Da Capo who was also an act at the Afro Tech festival. 

He advised young DJs, especially females, to play different styles of music that sets them apart from other DJs. 

He also encouraged DJs to play out and release music that they were working on and not keep it on their laptops.

Hapex Guru, a local house DJ said events such as these showed growth in the house music industry. He said people were now interested in attending house music shows and appealed for more of such shows. 

“The turnout for today’s Afro Tech fest has improved compared to the first show,” Hapex Guru said.

In an interview, GIMC organiser Fish Pabalinga said Enoo Napa and BennyT’s collaboration was a sign of great things to come. 

“GIMC has always been about giving our artists a platform to network and make collaborations with these international acts. I am happy that the two DJs are engaged and are ready to work together,” said Pabalinga. 

He said GIMC encouraged artists to not only give great performances on stage but forge working relations with their peers from other countries for the development of their craft and growth of the local industry.

Other performances were from Dj Rudo, Soulman BW, Teaz, Sun El Musician, Da Capo, Raul Bryan, Sips and Peekay. GIMC Afro Tech festival was sponsored by Tanqueray alcoholic beverage, where the new Tanqueray Royale was also launched. Ends