11 Aug 2014

In their 18th year unearthing local talent in Botswana, the popular Talent Show of My African Dream (MAD) Semi-Finals this year thrilled the fully packed Mantlwaneg Theater on Saturday August 9 in Gaborone.

This year, the show also unveiled their new presenters whom were chosen to present in different categories according to their ages, Onalenna Kebinakgabo and Katlego Setilo for the Junior Category, the teens being Vincent Matesi and Naledi Keitseng, while Hazel Gaellebale and Thabo Dima were on the face of the Senior Category.

Young boys and girls from all over Botswana showcased their singing, dance, poetry, rap and artistic embodiments as they performed their hearts out in the Junior Category.

A 6-year-old boy, Kevin Benson from Francistown, startled the audience with a rich robust Setswana poet emphasizing the importance of education before Bana Ba Pina in traditional skin clothes and makgabe.

The Teen Category also brought a diverse and fresh performance with the melodious voices of La Blonde Stars singing Accapella gospel and the Big Tears raping a soothing motswako sound in their song about HIV/AIDS and urging the youth to abstain.

The brothers from Moshupa who make up the group ATM also danced the popular pantsula dance sebujwa to entertain their fans.

In addition, the Senior Category also raised to the occasion to illustrate that MAD extracts talent of different ages when the popular group of 5 girls the Terror Queens twerking and dancing to different moves.

The theater also roared with amusement as RoBo Flex men demonstrated Michel Jackson’s robot moves and the moon walk.

Another memorable act was a unique yet funny drama and dance by two men by the name of Katina Papa, wearing ragged clothes appearing like old men dancing to the tunes of the late Setampore that provided the audience with a feel of Setswana tunes, before Mbazi Dance Crew light up the stage.

Further, the judges had to decide on the top 6 of each category after a day of raw talent from participants from all walks of life in this country.

In no particular order, the Semi-Finalists were announced and under the Junior Category, Ana Marie (Singer), Okemetse Dekop (Singer), Muhammed Magale (Beat Box), Kevin Benson (Poet), Bana Ba Pina and Mafia Dance Crew were in top 6.

In the Teen Category, the finalist were Olerato Thodi (Singer), ATM (Dance), Pesalema Motshodi (Singer), Bomb Squard, Kago Serole also known as Big Money Stacks (Rapper) and X5 Dance Crew.

The last six from the Senior Category included Oteng Fulata also known as Boy Simba (Rapper), RoBo Flex Dance Crew, Thato Nkwe (Singer), Mbazi Dance Crew, Katina Papa (Dance/Drama) and Sweet Lurv (Dance).

An overwhelmed and talented young boy and the only beat boxer at MAD 2014 Semi-Finalist, Muhammed Magale expressed his gratitude to the organisers of MAD and mentioned that this has been his dream and one day he hopes to become a National Champion in Beat Box.

“My African Dream encourages us to follow our dreams, I am so happy to make it to the semi-finals and I thank my mother for taking notice in my art and encouraging me,” he said.

The judges chose three contestants who will get the opportunity to perform at the Grand Finale. These were Click Dot Relatives Dance Crew, Multitudes and Dematrio Dance Groups.

All the semi-finalists will perform at the Grand Finale which will be hosted in Gaborone on August 29.  

To see your favourite wins under the Junior Category, one should sms Junior 1 to the number 73456789, Teen 7, and Senior 13 to the same number in ascension of their numbers. Ends