19 Mar 2017

Assistant Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development says Tshepiso Moalosi, aka Kast would be sponsored by the ministry to the tune of P265 000 for his Tlatsa Lebala campaign that saw him walking a 1 000km from Maun to Gaborone.

Officially welcoming Kast back to Gaborone, Kefentse Mzwinila said initially the ministry had said Kast could use the National Stadium for the event but now the ministry had decided to cover the associated costs of using the venue.

“This covers such things as turf cover, security and utilities for him to make his Tlatsa Lebala campaign come true,” he said, adding that to book the National Stadium costs P150 000.

Mzwinila said what Kast had done was amazing and encouraged the youth to take a leaf from his chapter.

“If you believe in something, you should get up and get it done. Kast did not sit around and blame government but rather took it upon himself to make sure that we stood up and listened. As a nation, we can do almost anything if we stick to together,” he said.

He said Kast’s walk also did wonders for Botswana artistes.

“He sacrificed his body to raise awareness that Botswana artistes need to make a living and we should support our own because they are as good as the international artistes,” said Mr Mzwinila.

He indicated that Kast would go down in Botswana history as having stood for something and doing something positive to make a change.

“You are a role model now Kast. You have made us listen and we are now listening. Your ideals and principles have inspired us and I want to ask the youth to learn a thing or two from you,” he said, adding that his ministry has the utmost trust in Kast that he would fill up the National stadium.

Mzwinila further said Batswana could go far if they stopped being negative towards each other and uniting for a common cause.

“I want to encourage Batswana to fill up the National Stadium. It is not enough that we say we love and know Kast, let us act on that and fill it up. We need to support and show appreciation to our local artiste. Let this be a new chapter in our history with regards to the support we give them and I want to urge all private companies to heed this call and do what we should have long done,” he said.

For his part, Kast said he was overwhelmed by the support Batswana showed him during his walk.

“Batswana are amazing and I have only one question. Why don’t we support each other and help each other achieve our dreams,” he quizzed, adding that there are so many opportunities for Batswana, only if they could stick together.

“There is room for all of us to be something in life. Down with jealousy and let us unite for a common goal of succeeding,” he said.

He noted that this walk was not only for him but rather for all Botswana artistes.

Speaking on his amazing journey, Kast said there were times when he walked in excruciating pain but he had to soldier on.

“I was the man walking with a limp and some saw those videos. The pain that I had was so much that I should not have been walking, but the passion and drive I got from people that I met and inspiration of what I was walking for kept me going.

I walked through my pain and I appreciate everyone that was part of this amazing journey. This is only the beginning for Botswana music,” he said.

Mr Kagiso Thutlwe, Mayor of Gaborone, said Kast had left his wife, children and the comfort of his bed to undertake such an amazing feat.

“Kast used his body so that Botswana artistes can be respected and celebrated the same way we celebrate foreign artists.” ENDS