TUNES FROM TONOTA
Mandunyane set for memorable Independence
As part of their ongoing efforts to promote cultural awareness and revive fading traditions in their local community, Enchanted De Capitalist have once again teamed up with Setsosame Cultural Events.
The duo are dreaming big this Independence, getting BW’S birthday celebrations started with a night of song and dance at the De Capitalist Farms in Mandunyane village on 29th September.
Dubbed the ‘Moribo Wa Sekhurutshi’ festival, the allnight event will feature music from four Tonota-based cultural choirs, with: Mamelodi, Dangers Makaba, Marakanelo Inter and Nice all looking to hit the high notes.
Chatting to Voice Entertainment, Enchanted owner, Gofaone Babotana, 31, explained the idea was to empower local groups and give them a platform to showcase their considerable talents.
“The intention is to promote what our villages are famous for. Like Mochudi, Tonota is an area well-known for its choirs but this is something that, sadly, is slowly dying out because they simply don’t have anywhere to perform. They used to sing at the bars back in the day but now the law doesn’t permit,” notes Babotana, a fulltime nurse at Riverside Hospital in Francistown.
Desperate to inject some much-needed life back into the ‘dying’ phenomenon, Babotana has dug deep into his own pockets to help out.
“We have previously organised three similar events, all with the same aim of giving local choirs the chance to show people what they are capable of. This will be our biggest event yet but it doesn’t come cheap. Without sponsors or investors, the funds are limited and we are restricted in what we can do,” admits the man known as DJ Eliexir De Best in TNT music circles, who estimates he has already spent between P25,000 - P30,000 on this latest venture.
Promising the people a night to remember in the first installment of what he hopes will become an annual offering, Babotana adds, “Come and enjoy the dance and song of the Bakhurutshi; you won’t regret!”
Although admission to their previous events has been free, this time there will be a gate charge of P15 adults and P5 kiddies, while food vendors can also pay P100 for a stall.
With the choirs scheduled to entertain from 8pm through to 11am, the following evening the music switches from traditional to modern, as Independence Chillas takes centre stage.
Headlined by Madalavskellyjess, the feel-good fest includes: Nelly & Musica, Poster Da DJ, DJ Lewanza, DJ Romeo and MC Ndzina, while Babotana will also take a turn on the decks.
Set to start at 6pm, entrance to the Chillas will set you back P30.