22 Nov 2017

Captain Ruth Selebatso of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) has commended Serowe music revellers for supporting BDF Band in Concert Style, which aims at raising funds for charity.

“Support in Serowe is parallel to none. Your contribution will surely never go unnoticed, that is why we hold this place dearly close to our hearts,” she said.

Captain Selebatso said this much to amazement of revellers who gazed in full anticipation of BDF bands performance at the fully packed Lady Khama Community hall.

Officially opening the 2017 BDF in Concert style, Captain Selebatso quoted Greek philosopher, Plato, who said “Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.”

Captain Selebatso said although their aim was to raise funds for charity, in music they also soothe souls.

She said the initiative was started in 1991 by the then Botswana Defence Force Commander, Lt. Gen Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama, with an aim to generate funds to assist those in need, the disadvantaged members of the society.

She further said around this time of the year the bands engaged on a national tour, where they performed in major towns and villages to raise funds for charity.

“As we are a caring and compassionate nation, it is part of our vision as BDF to continue assisting the less fortunate, hence we saw it fit to donate P20 000 to House of Hope, a non-governmental organisation based in Palapye,” she said.  

The proceeds were made from the previous concert.

House of Hope Trust is a non-profiting NGO that was founded in 1999 as part of the community’s collective response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

The organisation is tasked mainly with two objectives; the care of orphaned and vulnerable children in and around Palapye, and secondly, the care and empowerment of people infected or affected by HIV/AIDS.

Presentations were made by Military Band No. 1 and 2, who performed popular songs such as Thriller by Michael Jackson, Stokvel Gumba by Sipho Gumede, March from Somerset by Ralph Vaunghn Williams taking fans on their heels.

Other Presentations included, Pipes and Drums, Accapella, Aucoustic uitar and Vocals, Poetry, Marimaba, traditional Dance, catering for all ages and different tastes, as they included pantsula dances, and imitating the likes of ATI, with his hit song, Khiring khorong.

Another speaker, Captain Albert Moalosi said this year the show was slightly different due to the absence of Warrant Officer Gaseitsewe, who was a prominent figure in the history of the concert, known for his exciting performances when singing Matlhathini, and gospel songs.

“Sergent Gaseitsewe retired in July after serving 39 years in BDF. He ran his race deligently and finished strongly, but as we know, the pain of parting is always hurting,” he said.

The tour goes to Francistown and will end in December with performances in Selebi Phikwe, Mahalapye, Jwaneng, Kanye, Lobatse and Tsabong. ENDS