07 Sep 2014

Pint-sized Pagson Ntsie surprised many when he innovatively pulled unknown stunts and nearly stole Koliwe Mpaneng’s music show where the latter’s album was being launched at Boipuso Hall in Gaborone on September 6.

Pagson, whose popularity is fairly placed but is not currently occupying the centre stage of gospel music industry, had this time prepared to show the doubting Thomases that he has one or two tricks in the sleeve to show to a legion of gospel music enthusiasts who filled up the hall.

As different gospel artists, who were supporting and curtain raising for Koliwe who was the main artist for the night, performed and gave the chance to other artists, Pagson was interestingly looking at them and when his turn came, the night and mood changed for the better as even those who were catnapping awoke. 

Singing most of his songs in Zulu, he said he was inspired by Amagama Okuhlabe Lele Zulu hymn book which they wildly use at his church, Lambs Followers Apostolic Church, and as such selected some of the songs and rearranged them in a way that they could be danced in a more electrifying manner.

Though other artists such as Phempheretlhe, Ottis, Overflow, Ouna, Spiza and Gabo were entertaining, Pagson emerged the most loved and cheered of them all. 

This was true when he sang the song Lihle, Nguthanda, Konamanje and a kwasa-kwasa song titled Lidwaba or Lefika in Setswana.

Arguably one cannot be faulted for saying Pagson was this time around possessed by Holy Spirit as his dancing ability and good command for his instrumentalists were synchronised and were executed with utmost perfection and agility above all. 

However Koliwe too did not disappoint attendants more so that it was her first time to perform in Botswana and for that matter she was using local backing vocalists and instrumentalists. 

When she took to the stage, she became a little bit rattled when the cordless microphone did not emit any sound, forcing some temporary delay. 

Nevertheless, the South African lady who is interestingly managed by Pagson under the instruction of her sponsor, Chande Transport Tours and Enterprises, owned by Malakia Maseko also from South Africa, showed Batswana that she is from a land awash with gospel music talent. 

Some of the songs which she sampled from her ten-track album Uyinkosi include songs like Siya huthanda, Uyi Nkosi, Haufi le Morena and Kae le kae, which is widely sang at Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA). 

Meanwhile Apostle Joel, who some may perceive as eccentric yet he is equally entertaining and engaging his audience did not disappoint when he took stage before ushering in four South African artists being; Tshepiso, Papane, Joey and Sello Malete who had earlier on performed without the trio.

The four men who regularly appear on Btv’s Melodi ya Kgalaletso gospel programme every Sunday afternoon have a good following in Botswana and their presence was properly planned as they sealed the all night programme. 

The night was good thanks to Koliwe and her sponsor whom has assured attendants that she will be based here. Ends