24 Mar 2015

Jazz promoters seem destined to revive the music industry. 

One of the profound event organisers set to resuscitate this once money spinning industry is Lesedi Rakhudu. 

The CEO and founder of Gaborone International Jazz festival promises the music enthusiasts a memorable time during the first annual Jazz festival themed “#jazzonthelawn” billed for Serokolwane Lawns next week. 

Rakhudu revealed in an interview that the birth of the festival followed in the footsteps of other nations who are boosting their tourism industry through their entertainment industry. The organiser said of late there were international events that countries host adding that such events attract international spectators, something they want to also establish locally.

She said countries such as Dubai and South Africa, among a few have Jazz festival names after their cities hence GIJF. 

“Yes, it is our show but many sectors stand to benefit from the event. As music as we want to enrich the local entertainment industry, we also promote Botswana as one of Africa’s entertainment and tourism destination.” 

She added that South Africa was raking about millions through the Jazz festival activities and said that Botswana too can attain such.  Rakhudu said the intention of the festival is to profile Gaborone, its infrastructure and the places of interest in its periphery such as Mokolodi Nature Reserve. 

She said most tourists visiting the country go to the North for the much advertised eco-tourism entities as less is done to promote the southern part of the country despite its vast tourism entities. 

Ms Rakhudu said the show stand to present Gaborone’s ability to host cosmopolitan events and upgrade its status as a tourist of choice, thus adding value to services market, hospitality industry, transport and arts and cultures communities in general. 

The founder said they have taken advantage of various mediums to reach out to the international community, and said so far they are in social networks, and they are also taking advantage of South Africa compu-ticket to sell tickets to those in the foreign country.

She also expressed delight to international media who have displayed interest in the envisaged festival. As part of their commitment to the community, through their Training and Development program, she said, they will host a master class that will focus on various aspects of the music industry, such as stage production, lights, sound to mention a few. 

She said it is not easy to get individuals with such expertise locally and said they want to afford an opportunity to young people who want to venture into such businesses. 

Unlike most who bag their proceeds, Ms Rakhudu said they have already identified some beneficiaries, who will benefit from the show’s proceeds. 

“Although we want to establish ourselves, we also want to be seen as an organization that actively contributes towards improving the quality of life of both rural and urban communities in the country.” 

“Our criteria will be identifying the hardest pressed organisations that find it difficult to solicit sponsors.”

She said extending their hand is in-line with the country’s Vision 2016 pillar of Compassionate, caring nation.  The show’s line up offers a mixed bag of goodies, with seasoned and sensational jazz artistes. It will be headlined by all-time sizzler Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a multi titled male acapella from SA. 

Shanti Lo and Nnunu Ramogotsi will represent Botswana. The youthful local Jazz artistes have proved to be a force to reckon with and their outstanding talent has earned them international tours. Punah Gabasiane will also show why she deserves the Lady of Jazz title. 

Upcoming local artist Mpho Sebina will also have to prove why people should rally behind her.

Harambee star HHP and his ensemble, Edemol is expected to wow the revellers. His country man Jimmy Dludlu will also showcase what he has acquired over his many years in the industry. Three times SA Music Award-winning virtuoso Jimmy Dludlu’s latest album, Tonota, is the jazz musician’s way of giving back.

Fourteen years into a vibrant career, he’s turned his creative attention to a tiny Botswana town of Tonota that gave him his roots and first gave his music flight. Dludlu’s seventh album is named after a small village 15 minutes from Francistown in Botswana. In the 1980s it was home to many exiled South Africans, all fighting for a voice we now share.

“Tonota is my thank you, my acknowledgement, to a place and people who originally gave me the space to become the man I am today,” 

He has shared stage with great names such as Hugh Masekela, the late Miriam Makeba among others. British composer Martin Iveson aka Atjazz will also be part of the line-up.  ENDS