24 Aug 2023

Chef Gustos has received seven Yarona FM Music Awards (YAMAs) nominations for his hit single Away during the nominees announcement brunch in Gaborone on Tuesday.

The eighth edition of the YAMAs, themed Drip Till Infinity are slated for Molapo Piazza on November 11 and the first physical awards post COVID-19.

Chef Gustos Born Thato Modukanele, earned nominations in the People’s Choice Song of the Year, Best Collabo, Best Amapiano, Best Male, Best DJ and Producer of the Year.

Described as the best Amapiano song ever made in the country by fans, Away has over 1.6m views on YouTube to date and continues to enjoy TikTok’s most watched and uploaded sound.

Chef Gustos is leading the nominees list alongside DJ Ngwazi who has been nominated in four categories for Uthando, nominated under the Best Collabo, People’s Choice Song of the Year, Best Dance and Best Amapiano.

Han C also received four nominations for Best Male, People’s Choice Artist of the Year, Best Pop, and People’s Choice Song of the Year categories, all for his Sebinki song.

Mascom injected P200 000 into the awards as well as sponsoring the Best Social Media award, which features creative nominees such as William Last KRM, Kiyoshima Edits, Oska Bora Teachere, FME Djs and Mdu Tha Party.

Additionally, the awards will this year have three special categories of Hall of Fame, Icon Award and ODC Diamond Award (Okavango Diamond Company). These categories do not have nominees, however winners will be announced on the night.

The YAMAs recognise and celebrate outstanding contributors within the music sector.

“They also provide a platform for musicians to gain recognition within and beyond Botswana, the aim being to buttress local artist efforts and showcase their talents,” said Yarona FM Station Manager Owen Rampha at the nomination launch.

Rampha further emphasised the importance of local music scene for the YAMAs and expressed a hope that the platform availed through these awards, for their potential to propel winners to even higher achievements on a global scale.

Meanwhile, Okavango Diamond Company (ODC) Managing Director Mmetla Masire applauded Yarona FM for their efforts to recognise and celebrate young talent in Botswana.

He said the awards were more about unearthing talent in the showbiz industry, and that this resonated with them as a diamond company as they are also in the business of excavating and polishing gem stones.

 The MD said the youthful station had created leaders in the industry and continued to contribute toward the the country’s  economy.

He said the awards were a testament that the station was successful and knew what they were doing.

Masire said Yarona FM was recognising and addressing the creative needs that young artistes were putting effort into, therefore needed to be supported.

ODC announced that they will sponsor the People’s Choice Song of the Year and the special award. ENDS