17 Dec 2023

Another year in the books, another collection of memories to tuck away in the world of showbiz of the year 2023.

As the year ends, we take a look back at the year that was in 2023. Film… The year was a progressive one for the film industry with the Botswana International Film Festival (BIFF) hosted for the first time with a super opening at the Three Dikgosi Monument.

The BIFF streamed 83 films from various creatives in countries from regions of Africa, Europe and Americas, bringing together film experts such as Mykel Parish, Moabi Mogorosi, Sam Ngwenya, Obed Emvula, Loreley Yeowart, Ralph Kgabanyane and many others.

The young aspiring filmmakers had an opportunity to engage with experts and got insight on various film elements to develop, enhance and grow their craft to the global standard required and find their voice as Batswana in the film industry.

The festival also saw Botswana’s short film, Partly Cloudy and Hot, bagging an award for Kaone Kario as the Best Actress.
Partly, Cloudy and Hot has also been making headlines across the world.

Culture… Botswana recently hosted the 18th session of the Intergovernmental Committee on 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in Kasane.

ICH is a practice, representation, expression, knowledge or skill recognised by UNESCO to be part of a place’s cultural heritage.

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi indicated at the session that ICH forms a part of the core of the social identity markers and therefore should be safeguarded. Communities were encouraged to list their elements and increase their community inventory.

Botswana has inscripted three elements to be part of UNESCO list needing urgent safeguarding in the past years; Earthenware pottery making skills (dinkgwana), dikopelo folk music of Bakgatla-ba-Kgafela and Seperu folk dance and associated practices. Television and theatre… Steve Harvey finally shared his plan for the long anticipated Family Feud Botswana series.

The American media mogul came into the country beginning of December to launch Btv’s Studio 4, where the magic will be happening.
During his Town Hall with President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, Steve Harvey said the launch of Family Feud Global would also be launched in Botswana in the near future.

Pula Musical, a theatre production by Mophato Dance Theatre, invaded South Africa at the South Africa State Theatre in Pretoria. It was a dream come true for the local stage performers.
They gave their soul and skills to the Mzansi audience thrilling not only fans but also captains of the industry.
Multichoice Botswana launched My Botswana Plate, Botswana Top 5 music videos on DStv channels. Local television station, Ytv also launched a channel on Multichoice Botswana. Music… Botswana’s creatives made impact on the international stage, with collaborations and record signings with some of the acclaimed music gurus.

DJ KSB signed a recording deal with Master KG’s Wanita Mos, and had collaborations with many of South Africa’s acts within the stable.
ShiversBW also a DJ, collaborated with Rhythmic Elements’ Mackenzie. The young Afro Tech maestro is also working with Black Motion on their upcoming album to be released next year.

The MTN Bushfire festival in Eswatini fielded Botswana’s sensational Amapiano DJ, Casper The DJ. The young lad set the MTN BushFire on fire and left a mark on the biggest Southern Africa music festival.

Not only did Botswana creatives set the international scenes with their presence, they also took their brands outside the country and expanded.
WhySoGroup, an initiative by Ban T, which has livened Gabs City with the WhySoFriends event, expanded to South Africa.

The brand delivers the WhySoStudents every last Thursday of the month in South Africa with Botswana as well as South Africa acts. Fashion…

The youthful fashion brand Glotto, rocked the New York Fashion week ramp earlier in September. Also BK Proctor Collections held its first ever fashion show to celebrate their five-year milestone in the industry. Deaths… The entertainment industry suffered a blow with the death of Mponang

‘Gong Master’ Ketshabile. The traditional song and dance maestro passed after a short illness, leaving a void in the traditional music space.

Stephen Rahman, the owner of various entertainment clubs in Gaborone and around Botswana, also met his demise this year. Rahman was not only an entertainment club owner but he played a role in the growth of night life in Gaborone.

Regionally, in South Africa the entertainment industry lost Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes and recently Bulelwa ‘Zahara’ Mkutukana. May their souls rest in peace. Happy safe holidays… see you all in 2024 as we continue to vibe and grow the entertainment industry!!!!!! ENDS