19 Dec 2024

The year 2024 was a remarkable year in entertainment, marked by a change in the ministry overseeing the creative.

Following a change of guard in government, the formerly Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture (MYSC) changed to Ministry of Sports and Arts (MOSA), coming in with fresh leadership of Jacob Kelebeng taking over from Tumiso Rakgare. 

In the same breath, the National Arts Council of Botswana (NACB) let go of their chief executive officer Shombi Ellis. Ellis was first suspended, and when the creative were excited of her return, she got the boot months later on.

FILM, THEATRE AND TELEVISION

LIAR, an international format drama series reproduced in various countries shot season one of Botswana version.

Three of Botswana films; Mokwalo, Buying the Cow and Khumo Ya Dinaledi got airplay on South Africa’s Mzansi Magic channel, on DStv platform for the first time ever, in November. Mzansi Magic gave access for non-South African content presenting opportunities for the Botswana creative.

Also, Thabiso Maretlwaneng’s Sgela launched and aired on Dstv’s Moja Love channel. Sgela is a 26 episode drama.

Pula, The Musical, a production theatre play by Mophato Dance Theatre group brought home the outstanding 1st Independent Theatre Makers award for Best Costume Design, from South Africa. 56 families taking part in the game show Family Feud Botswana received a total sum of P1.7m. Batswana were teased with just an episode of what is to come on this game show series, expected to broadcast on Btv in February 2025. Botswana short film Partly Cloudy and Hot awarded Best Short Film at the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) in India. Donald Molosi, writer and producer of Partly Cloudy and Hot, was awarded the Dilling Yang and Robert Potter prize of over P1.6m ($120 000) for his notable contributions to global post-colonial theatre.

A feature film by Esenaga Mbwe won the Best Feature award at the 2024 Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) Film Festive in Algeria.

FASHION & JEWELLERY

The 6th President of Botswana Duma Boko and First Lady Kaone Boko’s fashion statement was colour blue at the historic inauguration and ushering in of the new First Lady, symbolising serenity, stability, wisdom and reliability. 

SONA; the historic 13th Parliament first State of the Nation (SONA) was modest and calm, with the landscape compressed into moderation with variations of blues, greys and blacks with a little colour. Legakwanaleo Makgekgenene, founder of KWA Jewellery wins the Shining Light Awards.

KWA jewellery also collaborated with Glotto, a clothes design and fashion brand where together they launched Synergy concept store, the first ever physical store for both brands. The two brands were transitioning from a digital first brand to a physical retail store. Collections by BK Proctor released new collection with an introduction of a new line of formal wear.  The collection will be in stores in 2025. Thobo Kerekang, one of the pioneers of KENO Suits part ways with KENO to start his own brand.

PAGEANTRY

Mr World Botswana Vincent Gobuamang, a 22 year old from Qabo, a small settlement in Ghanzi participated at the Mr World competition in Vietnam. 

Although he could not win, he did well as he earned a place in the Mr World Top 30 Beauty With A Purpose project and Top 5 in the sport challenge (running). DR Thanolo Keutlwile represented Botswana after a long time at Miss Universe pageant.

MUSIC

Katlholo ‘Çhokoma’ Hiri made Sekgalagdi fashionable. Chokoma cemented his Sekgalagdi presence with a BOMU Best Male award. Award winning gospel singer Shinkie Mochawacha performed in Luanda Angola for the first time, opening to opportunities and networking to further advance his career.Hamza Tajbhai, known in the music scene as Tau.Bw had his debut at the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), a five-day electronic music conference and festival held annually in mid-October in Amsterdam.

 ‘Heidi’ single by the iconic Socca Moruakgomo. Kabo Leburu, a jazz guitarist musician is back with Kidi-kaba single, after a little break in the public space.

Han C dropped a hit single, featuring South Africa’s Donald. A.T.I drops Mankalakaleng EP. Baanthata ‘Ban-T’ Mokgwathi dropped his long awaited solo project, the Extended Play (EP) titled ‘Tiddy’s Revenge.’ ‘Itshwarelele’ and ‘Tlhoma ka serethe’ went viral on tiktok challenges.

 Botswana Music Union (BOMU) awards introduced two new categories at these year’s awards Best Clap and Tap/Record and Best Traditional Contemporary Music/EP.

PARTNERSHIPS

The National Arts Council of Botswana (NACB) partnered with National Arts Council of South Africa (NACSA), signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to reinforce the creative sector in both countries.

Government of Botswana collaborated with Steve Harvey Global and launched Botswana Ignite, an initiative to revitalise Botswana's creative economy. 

The project will run for three years, providing training and development for the creative and production industry of Botswana, nurturing local talent and fostering growth within the television and video production industry.

Thapong Visual Arts Centre and HB Botswana partnered for an outreach program titled ‘Taking Art to the People.’ The project is an initiative by Thapong Visual Arts Centre seeking to sensitise people and market the artworks of local visual artists within the walls of international companies such as HB Botswana.

WhySo Sundays, an event by WhySo Group showcased an Independence with a headline act from South Africa, Khuli Chana. The event also partnered with one of South Africa’s biggest hip hop festival MaftownHeights, bridging the gap between the two countries through music and entertainment.

LIFESTYLE AND SOCIAL

A brand new entertainment, Tounel, pronounced ‘tunnel’ opened.

GIMC celebrated 10 years of excellence. New lifestyle and social event, Winter Soiree by Bambi-Elle Creations. Grand Palm Hotel Casino Convention Resort unveiled the newly expanded revamped casino floor at an investment of P7.2m.

The first Winter Warmers by Sebaga.

Clicks Botswana stores listed local products, Earth Vitamins and O3 water. The In Your Area (IYA) show by Ytv launched.

VISUAL ARTS

Zimbabwean visual artist Batsirai Muskwe held an Art Talk in collaboration with Uhuru Kgope. 

First National Bank of Botswana (FNBB) Foundation injected P2.4m to the newly launched Botswana Art Online (BAO).BAO is an online platform that will sell Botswana art.

TRIBUTES

2024 was a dark year for the creative industry. Kwaito star Thabo Ntirang, affectionately known as Mapetla died on the spot after a car accident.

The iconic Kabo ‘DJ Stomps’ Mogotsi departed the world at age of 38 after a short illness.

Son of the Soil cultural show lost their founding member Dave ‘Divas’. ENDS