20 Oct 2022

Bana Bana Ba-Ntogwa, a Kalanga cultural group is planning an early Christmas for Francistowners in the form of a festival dubbed, Jazz Mu Toropo.

The do targeted for December 17 at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium, will feature South African artiste, Kelly Khumalo

Group leader, Teedzani Ntogwa said organising the event was no small feat, but hoped it would bring life to the second city.

She told a news conference Friday in Francistown that the group had already secured sponsors among them, Ministry of Youth, Gender Sport, and Culture (MYSC), G4S and Cresta Marang Gardens.

Project coordinator, Daniel Diamond said a contract had been completed and signed.

“Kelly Khumalo has already been paid the requested full amount under her second best performing package to perform all the songs that will be requested by the audience,” said Diamond, noting that they opted for Kelly Khumalo because her music appealed to the young and old.

Diamond said more than 100 security guards were expected to be deployed at the stadium to ensure safety and security of revellers.

Apart from the intended activation events due to take place, Diamond stated that tickets would be made available countrywide through computicket at all Spar outlets.

He said artistes would be accommodated at Cresta Marang, and that included local artistes who had already shown interest in performing on the day.

Diamond also stated that payment of artistes would be done prior to the event to motivate them to do their best.

MYSC principal programmes officer, Golesego Siviya said the ministry’s mandate was to support and ensure growth of local artistes, especially when engaging in something cultural.

As a ministry now responsible for gender related issues, she said they made it a priority to support women who were determined to bring change that benefited Batswana.

“We are granting the festival an amount of P100 000, intended to help with all financial requirements to make this a success,” stated Siviya, who also encouraged the project coordinators to reach out to other organisations for financial assistance.

She said working together as local artistes would bring recognition and attract other sponsors, hence MYSC was sponsoring the festival, so that other artistes would get to perform and make money as well.

Francistown artistes’ representative, Thapelo Maleka, aka, MC Maswe, said the unity of local artistes, especially in Francistown, could make the festival the biggest ever in the city.

“Like I always do when we are graced by talent in our city, I will be promoting the event and selling tickets around town, to ensure it gets the recognition and hype it deserves,” stated MC Maswe.

He said the goal was for Francistown artistes to contribute more than 75 per cent of the performances. ENDS