02 Jul 2018

An upcoming jazz musician, who is also cultural enthusiastic, says he is happy that Batswana are retracing their steps back in recognition of their culture and traditional practices, which are on the verge of being subjugated by foreign elements.

Giving a keynote address at the start of the annual President’s Day Competition under the traditional instruments category recently, Tomeletso Sereetsi, who is also the chairperson of COSBOTS noted with pride that the competition had revived the traditional practices found in the country.

Now that Batswana have regained their glory in the arts and the performing division, he said it was important that they did not lose track of who they were and where they came from.

Sereetsi of the Sereetsi & The Natives band, famed for the song Robete from his first hit jazz album, however, advised artistes to know that performing arts should be an income generating craft. “Arts in its entirety should be an income generating entity,” he said.

Sereetsi refuted insinuation that Setswana could not be used to express some emotions and different situations adding that Batswana would be blamed for the extinction of their culture.

He thus challenged artistes to improve with time without diverting from the original.

Meanwhile, in the segaba category, Kgosi Mathale from the North West District obtained position one followed by Philimon Marope from Central District in position two, while multitalented Ntirelang Berman from South East District was got third position.

In the setinkane category, Moviri Moteru from the North West District, who has been coming almost every year but without success, this time clinched the first position followed by Oteng Mpesi from Central District while Gakebajese Tshekelo from Kgalagadi District obtained position three.

The cream of the night, which was everybody’s favourite was the katara category, which ended with the ever talented Solly Sebotso from Letlhakeng in the Kweneng District clinching position one, followed by Monaga ‘Stigar

Sola’ Molefhi from Maun in the North West District and Batlaadira Radipitse from Mmankgodi in South East District settling for position three.

Judges in the traditional instruments category included Lesang Sentse, Moabi Maje and Andrew Moloi, who were showered with praises when they finished their difficult task, which was challenging especially with regard to the katara category.

In the choral choir competition held Sir Seretse Khama Barracks in Mogoditshane, under the Lerabi category of the standard song; Multi-genre Artistics obtained position one followed by Camel Choir at position two while Palapye Voices got position three.

In the large category on the Western piece, Andante Chorus got the first potion followed by Gaborone Philimonics while position three went to Maikano Serenaders.

For the vernacular large category, first position went to Gaborone Youth Choir while position two went to Andante Youth Chorus with Maikano Serenaders getting position three.

Under large choir, Andante Chorus got position one followed by Gaborone Youth Singers and Maikano Serenaders and position two and three respectively. Ends