26 Jun 2023

A huge number of artistes from the Southern, Kweneng, South East, Kgatleng and Gaborone districts turned up for the Southern Region Contemporary Music Competition in Lobatse over the weekend.

The competition, organised annually by the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, featured three categories of live band, newcomer live and backtrack. 

Artists in different categories had the opportunity to book themselves a slot, thereby qualifying to represent their regions at the national contemporary music finals in Francistown.

The back-track category saw a massive turn-out of 60 artistes competing fiercely for a spot in the national finals. 

Flying Eagles from Gabane emerged victorious.

Group leader Katlego ‘Success’ Motsumi said it was an achievement to win the competition since Flying Eagles was a relatively new group.

“We are just one year in the music circles, but we decided to participate in the competition to showcase our talent,” he said.

He said the good reception they received from the crowd filled him with confidence that their performance was of a high standard. 

He said they go to the national finals with confidence that they could scoop position one.

“Everywhere we have performed, people are always happy with what we give them,” he said.

He said they had already composed six songs and would release their first album once they are done with the seventh song.

They were closely followed in position two by Linda Sekgoma and Batlhanka Ba Moya in position three.

In the New Comer Live category, jazz artiste Mercy Magodi aka MercyB from Tlokweng proceeded to the national finals after taking position one through her song A Mme Lorato Le A Bolaya. 

She expressed delight at winning the competition.

“I am very excited. We had prepared well together with my backing vocalists. 

We worked hard and held many rehearsals before coming here,” she said.

She said going to the finals, she expected the competition to be even tougher. 

She said she would put even more effort with the hope of scooping  position one at the finals. 

MercyB said she started music at a young age and was mentored by renowned artiste Dr Vom of the Tsaya Thobane fame. 

She was part of the group that sang in the Matshediso album and had also worked with the likes of MC Maswe and Franco before she decided to go solo in 2008 when she released her first album A Mme Lorato Le A Bolaya.

Position two in the category went to Mosimanegape Matlho, stage name Sua Pan, while Amantle Moumakwa and the Inevitable Quintet got position three.

The Live Band category was won by Thabang Gaaroge followed by Tshepang Seaketa and the Bongo Jazz Band in position two. ENDS