28 Jun 2022

South African gospel star; Winnie Mashaba is expected to perform at an all-nighter gospel event dubbed: ‘Gamaila Gospel Picnic’ at Mmakgodumo Gardens in Kanye on August 24.

Winnie is expected to share the stage with local artists, among them; Obakeng Sengwaketse, Kabelo Eric and Johnson Pheto.

The event is expected to double as both entertainment and worship for the whole family, with a kids’ entertainment in the morning and the main performances in the late afternoon.

“The objective is to have the biggest gospel show, which caters for everyone. That is why we have included a variety of gospel artists,” said the coordinator, Obakeng Sengwaketse in an interview. He said they also wanted to use the picnic as a celebration that Batswana were conquerors, considering the improvement in national COVID-19 cases and response measures.

Sengwaketse however, said the event would also create an interactive platform with various service providers for psychological issues, marriage counselling, financial advice, blood donation; HIV testing and counselling; as the mental effects of COVID-19 could not go unnoticed.

He also said they had collaborated with the District Health Management Team to promote COVID-19 vaccination.

“We are planning to have stalls for various service providers who provide counselling and emotional support to revellers during the day session,” he said.

He said since they had also coded the event as a national prayer, they would include a candlelight prayer session and fire cracking exercise at midnight.

Sengwaketse said the proceeds would be shared with charity organizations and schools around the village to enhance various initiatives such as the sanitary pads drive.

He applauded the Kanye business community, especially the hospitality and taxi industries for embracing the initiative and offering support. He said such a gesture would go a long way in helping the organisers realise their dream of making the event an annual one. “We are grateful for the support from the hospitality industry and the taxi operators because we intend to make this an annual event in order to enhance the local economy,” he said. ENDS