22 Nov 2017

Two of Botswana’s sensational artistes are set to hoist the country’s flag high as they look to share the stage with South African heavy hitters in the music business at the Mahika Mahikeng music and cultural festival at Letlamoreng Dam, Mafikeng on December 10.

With the event on its third year, it is categorised into three phases, which are the poetry night on December 7, followed by Motswako night on December 8 and the main jazz festival on December 10 with our local acts expected to participate.

Last year, local artistes BanT and Tumeletso Sereetsi of Sereetsi and The Natives had the chance to participate at the event and made quite an impression.

Speaking in an interview, Director of Marketing and Communication at the Department of Arts and Culture in Bokone Bophirima, South Africa, Shuping Sebolecwe said Mahika Mahikeng as a music and cultural festival provides a platform for product, position and paradigm innovation for the creative industries sector in Bokone Bophirima and the development of Mahikeng as the capital of the arts in the country.

“Subsequent to the pronouncement of the Premier of Bokone Bophirima during his State of the Province Address after reconfiguration of the government department, where the Department of Arts and Culture was born. There was a need to re-brand, reposition and renew the province. Through the department of CATA, Mahika Mahikeng Cultural Festival came to being two years ago and is one of the tributaries that contributes to the economic growth of the province and support to artists,” he said.

Quizzed on how it came about for Botswana artistes to be included in the event, Sebolecwe said normally during this event international artistes are featured as a collaboration and Mahika Mahikeng attracts support across the borders.

“For the past two years, we have featured groups and individual performers from Botswana and even for this event we continue to feature Botswana artistes,” he continued.

He indicated that since part of the cultural festival is to promote and support artistes from the province, with collaboration from Botswana artistes, the reception from the crowd that throngs Mahika Mahikeng Cultural with regards to Botswana artistes has been amazing.

“They have won the hearts of South Africans and are warmly welcome here,” he chipped in.

Speaking on some of the support they receive from Botswana, Sebolecwe said they have engaged a Botswana events company to assist in activation and promotion of the event in Botswana.

“Botswana has experience in hosting big annual events and we are grateful for the cordial relationship,” said Sebolecwe.

Speaking on plans for Mahika Mahikeng Cultural Festival going forward, Sebolecwe said this is one of their flagship programme and they wish to extend their scope by increasing cultural activities and cater for different genres of music, unearth talent, create opportunities for artistes to exhibit and sell their artifacts.

“Also, we want to feature more artistes from Botswana and international ones as well,” he stated.

Mahika Mahikeng Cultural Festival is an earmarked arts economic development programme aligned to the State of the province objectives and supports re-branding, re-positioning and renewal programme of the provincial government.

Both A.T.I and Amantle are set to perform alongside Vusi Nova, Caiphus and Leta, Lucas Senyatso, Mafikizolo, Mmaausi, Kaylow, Robbie Malinga, TS, Amanda Black, Selaelo Selota, Zonke, Musa, KB, Quincy K, Encore, Tshedi Mholo, Zahara, Beesting, Samthing Soweto, Sjava and Ezbie Moilwa.

Some of the Djs are KB Molopyane, Benny Motaung, Solly Mputle and Phat K.

MCs for the December 10 event include none other than Somizi, Thando Thabethe, Douglas Mosadi and Mokupi Molebatsi. Tickets for the jazz festival retail at R200 (P150) general access and R1 600 (P1 200) VIP access. ENDS