03 Jun 2015

As the sun goes down, the exhibitors marquees slowly but showily loose audience and enthusiasts who have for the length of the day been touring stalls to learn about services offered.

The Lobatse Town Council open auditorium begins to take centre stage.

During the day, the vast land of the park had multitudes of people scattered around it, some relaxed as exhibitors clientele being entertained with slow music and dance while at the same time teaching them about the services they offer.

Other beef festival attendants opted to relax under tree shades scattered around the park to chat and have fun of the day, while grasping bits and pieces of beef that were availed by the Botswana Meat Commission for every individual who got into the park.

It is only at dawn that live music begins at the auditorium stage that the multitudes gather in to get the best of local music. At the stage is Kabo Leburu. 

Kabo pulled a surprise to many, who have always known him for being a solo artist, playing traditional music. This time around, he had a full 5 band consisting of Roy Ngoni on drums, Norman Nyoni on bass guitar, Mike Ndlovu, and Nalumino Akashambutwa from Zambia playing the flute.

The band mesmirised the audience, who stood up to dance the more Afro – jazz songs such as Ramasedi and a vemba song titled Nimphika. A redention of the folklore song from East Africa, Malaika which has been popularised by the late Mariam Makeba, was much of a delight to the audience.

The famous Phenyo Ntshinogang, popularly known from RB2’s Easy drive show as DJ Sly, pulled it all as he made the audience to stand on their feet and dance to the tunes that he dished knowing what he knows best from the decks.

They could not get enough of him as he left them yearning for more when he bowed off stage. The now loved young lads of the time, who are making it big in the music industry, Team Distant were the highlight of the day.

A group of four young boys are always a marvel to watch as they bit their drums, showing that they are best at what they do and proving their mettle to the crowed.

They sampled songs from the not yet released album such as Kavengua, Jazz times of which proved to be a delight and a much awaited album. The popular hit single Sax on the floor sent the audience on a wild mood as the boys hit on the drums even more.

Bowing out of stage with one of the best hit song of the time, Nikorota, had the audience going even more wild, and kept on singing the song even after the boys had left the stage.

However DJ Crispin the drummer did not want to be out played as he also pulled all strings up to endear himself to the audience, and he did just that.

Having always gone solo on stage in his drums, this time he brought a twist to it as he roped in the famous jazz lead guitarist Kegomoditswe “Gee” Rapoo and Sakhi Nonong on the base guitar.

The two guitarists blended well with Crispin’s drum beats and proved that indeed Jazz and House music can blend so well.

From morning, with formal proceedings, to lunch with braai stands all over the park for the crowd to get a little taster of beef, and the day ending with a most hyped music show of its time, the Lobatse International Festival was indeed redefined to cater for all types and walks of people.

Though a few, here and there murmured about the little piece of beef they were offered and were also expected to buy from hawkers inside the park, it was however a day filled with fun and excite. Ends