03 Dec 2023

Some upcoming local artistes in Maun have appreciated the opportunity accorded to them by Department of Youth to participate in this year’s BDF Bands Concert in Style aimed to raise funds to assist the less privileged members society.

The organisers gave upcoming artistes a platform to spice the event by showcasing their brilliant indigenous talents.

Held at Maitlamo Junior Secondary School multipurpose hall over the weekend, the identified artistes included Kwelo Setlholo, Pantsula Skeem Sam and the Jazz sensational Sereta Diwambara commonly known as ‘Histo’ in the music circles.

They hailed the concert saying it was creating a positive impact by supporting local musical talent.

First to electrify the stage was the Maun-based legend, Setlholo, who performed the popular South African song Meadowlands using a traditional flute popularly known as phala and leaving spectators in a very festive mood. 

He had the audience glued to his performance to the end.

Diwambara also gave his all, displaying passion, enthusiasm and energy, which left the audience in stitches.

“This is a great achievement for us as upcoming artistes to share a stage with the renowned BDF Bands and this will also help us in terms of marketing as well as establishing a strong musical foundation,” said Diwambara.

He appreciated that the concert had helped to nurture and developed them so that they could become professional musicians in future and wished the organisers could continue with the arrangement saying that would give upcoming artistes exposure and, which would lead to growth of the music industry.

In future, he wished artistes could also emulate the BDF bands and extend a helping a hand to the needy. 

However, hundreds of revellers thronged the much hyped event popularised by its live performances and as always the event lived up to expectations as different BDF groups displayed amazing energy, beautiful talents and skills throughout the night.

Meanwhile, the Maun-based newly registered, Matamo Men Society Group received P25 000 from concert’s proceedings.

The group aims to device ways of fighting social ills such as gender-based violence, alcohol abuse, violation of children’s rights and criminal activities, among other things.

In an interview, the group’s acting coordinator, Itumeleng Takhwiri appreciated the financial assistance saying it came at the right time as the movement was struggling to secure sponsors to drive its mandate of reaching out to men in the Nhabe region.

He said they had planned activities and believed that the funding would help achieve them. 

“Although the funding is not enough, we appreciate the assistance and we are hopeful that we will be able to host some of our activities in the pipeline such as panel discussions with men and bonfire chilling sessions where we will discuss issues affecting men,” he added. Takhwiri acknowledged that since the formation of the group, they had achieved a lot as they had reduced defaulters from their HIV treatment due to alcohol consumption. Ends