26 Jan 2025

In the hunt for Botswana’s next gospel star, judges of the Poso Gospel Icon audition faced a difficult task of selecting 50 contestants from nearly 500 entries for the Gaborone auditions.

This follows the successful launch of the competition on December 2, 2024, which included auditions in Palapye and Maun.

Successful participants from the earlier rounds received stamped postcards, granting them entry to the next phase of the competition.

Beatrice Kgoboeng, a 22-year-old from Molepolole and former winner of Botswana’s My Star talent show, was among the lucky few who advanced to the next stage of the competition. In an interview after her audition, she gushed with excitement about her progress, also expressing her aspirations for the future of gospel music in Botswana.

“My love for music and my faith led me to audition for Poso Gospel Icon. The competition is tough even at the preliminary stage, as so many of us are passionate and talented singers, but I believe that my love for gospel will help me to stand out. The exposure and experience this competition provides is invaluable. I dream of becoming a gospel recording artiste and Poso Gospel Icon is a fantastic stepping stone to achieving my goals,” she said.

Lady luck was also smiling on 18-year-old Chris Lebotse from Mochudi, who received a postcard after auditioning for the second time. After initially receiving a ‘No’ from one of the judges during his first audition, Chris was disheartened and began to doubt his abilities.

However, when presented with a second chance, he gathered his courage and succeeded in impressing the judges. Lebotse credited his church background with fostering his love for gospel music.

“I started singing at church when I was six and have been doing so ever since. I believe in my potential, and that’s what motivated me to audition for Poso Gospel Icon. This competition is a dream come true for me. I aspire to be a part of Joyous Celebration, one of the most beloved gospel choirs in South Africa,” he said.

Lebotse emphasised that he would be working hard to prepare for the next stage of the competition.

Sibongiseni Buhle Thela, a judge in the Poso Gospel Icon competition and seasoned musician, pastor, and vocal coach from Joyous Celebration, shared her thoughts on the auditions.

“The level of talent in Botswana is extraordinary, and this competition is designed to uncover those hidden gems.  However, performing in front of a panel of judges can be nerve-wracking, and sometimes we see potential in contestants, but have to reject them due to the pressure of the competition,” she said, adding that the judges were looking for an artiste ‘who exudes confidence and possesses a fighting spirit, someone who knows they want to succeed and has what it takes to become the next gospel sensation'.

She, however, emphasised that it was not just about talent, adding that originality and authenticity in their performances made part of the marking key.

“Gospel music is not just about entertainment, it’s about inspiring and touching people’s hearts,” she emphasised.

Thela stressed the importance of being true to oneself and connecting with the audience through the music, traits she hoped to see in the winning contestant.

“Judging a competition like this is both challenging and exciting. There’s so much talent to consider, but in the end, we must choose just one artiste who embodies all the qualities we’re looking for,” she stated.

According to BotswanaPost communications manager, Khumo Raditloaneng, the journey of Poso Gospel Icon began as a dream in 2011.

She said last year, BotswanaPost hosted Life Changing Concert, and this year, ‘we are bringing you a singing competition that will culminate into the Life Changing Concert’, Raditloaneng explained.

She said Poso Gospel Icon was not just about the music, but was also about reigniting the love for letter writing and promoting their philatelic products.

“The stamped postcard will become a crucial element of the competition. Contestants will receive postcards upon passing their auditions, symbolising their progression through the competition, and each card will tell each contestant’s own unique story,” she explained.

She said, the initiative aligned with the company’s commitment to literacy empowerment, heritage, and creativity.

Following the successful auditions in Gaborone, the competition will move on to the elimination stage at a date to be announced.

The winner will be awarded a year-long contract with Joyous Celebration, providing them with the opportunity to launch their career in the gospel music industry. The event is part of BotswanaPost’s Corporate Social Investment mandate, done in partnership with Brave Heart and Joyous Celebration. ENDS