30 Aug 2016

Dubbed as one of the events to attend in Africa, the Gaborone International Music and Culture Week (GIMC) started off with blistering performances from none other than the legendary Jonathan Butler, Sereetsi & The Natives and Re Batswana Music Ensemble which consisted of Nnunu Ramogotsi, Banjo Mosele, Ndingo Johwa, Lister Boleseng and Lekofi Sejeso.

With different events all set to take place throughout the week, the jazz event set the tone for what promises to be an interesting and entertaining week.

The legendary Butler, South African born, but staying in the US, lit up the stage with his performance and the highlight of the night was when he invited Sereetsi on stage to do a song with him.

They say left handed people have their own unique way of seeing and doing things, and Jonathan seemed to prove right with this theory with the way he was playing his guitar and engaging with the crowd.

The man has travelled the world and his music is very engaging and he is the best at what he does. Jonathan who still has a lot left in the tank, demonstrated that when he performed his gospel songs.

It is not every day that one gets to see a legend on stage in Botswana such as Butler, and it is such a huge thing for the arts industry.

When you witness such greatness and poise from a man that has been doing it for more than 30 years at the top level, one has hope for our own artists who are talented beyond measure.

Sereetsi & The Natives, the next big thing to come out of Botswana, has revolutionised the four string guitar and he continues to woe the crowd with it, having recently undertaken a tour in South Africa where he received amazing praises for his talent.

He performed songs from his hit album and the crowd could not get enough of him and his melody.

The man is doing amazing things and it was very pleasing that Butler seemed to be taken in by him, which can only mean great things are surely to come from the friendship that seems inevitable.

Sereetsi has surely breathed some fresh air onto the local music scene and he can only go up from here.

Fish Pabalinga, organiser of GIMC, should also be given praise for putting together such an amazing concept and this can only help Botswana going forward.

It brings together the biggest and the best artists that are pushing boundaries in their respective careers and it has become a musical tourism attraction for many in Africa and even overseas.

With the jazz event being the first of many to take place during the week until the weekend when none other Black Coffee will be in town, Fish is a change maker.

Molapo Stanbic Piazza was packed to the rafters and was amazing to see Batswana enjoying music and sharing such special nights.

It should also be noted that with Botswana set to celebrate 50 years of Independence, celebrations have surely kicked into a different gear with only a few weeks left until this amazing milestone.

It could be said that GIMC has officially kicked off the celebrations and put everyone in a mood to celebrate with good artistry on deck. ENDS