10 Jul 2017

My Star 2017 marked the end of its journey and a new beginning for the overall winner, Odirile Bantusitse.

Bantusitse battled it out for the last time for the number one spot, Friday night at Boipuso Hall.

Despite 2017 My Star Season 11 having the lowest turn up in terms of contestants, which was  attributed to few region visits, they still did not fail to deliver, giving viewers the opportunity to participate by voting for their favourite star.

Hard work and determination paid off as Odirile Bantusitse walked away with P100 000 due to a whopping 20 223 votes.

Second runner up, Katlego Busi received 15 376 votes, and walked away with a prize money of P30 000.

Third runner up, Kedibonye Lewis had 3 165 votes and pocketed P20 000, while fourth runner up, Kennedy Stoffel  had 3 060 votes casted for him and walked away with P10 000.

All votes casted added up to 42 253.  

Mascom hampers were amongst the prizes the top four won.

The well-organised, constructed event brought the top 10 and former My Star contestants to serenate the gilts and glamorous event with their implacable performances that blew the crowd away.

Key note speaker, deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Kgopotso Ramoroka stated that the ministry had been supporting the My Star programme since 2007.

Ramoroka added that My Star gave performing artistes a platform to discover and nurture their talents and had witnessed the competition grow by covering many areas of Botswana to discover talent at grassroot level.

He mentioned the collaboration of his ministry, My Star and Ministry of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology over the years had provided scholarships for the top three winners to further their studies in music related careers.

“MYSC is to launch Btv 2 channel soon to create an opportunity for youth to market their creativity,” he said.

He furthermore added that works of young people like the talent identified by My Star were candidates of the content for the Btv 2 channel.

Ramoroka said his ministry and the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry had also collaborated in developing Creative Industry Strategy in order to outline a path for development and setting up of creative industries in Botswana.

He stated that arts had grown significantly and needed proper recognition and packaging to diversify the economy and create jobs.

Ramoroka commended the contestants for their hard work as many showed sacrifice, commitment, dedication and perseverance to complete this journey.

He commended those who did not make it to the finals as well,  for making an effort. ENDS