26 Aug 2013

A day before they left for Germany, Kalahari Roses proved to Batswana that they not only have amazing talent, but are brilliant and versatile artists whose stage presence is electric.

Their farewell show at BotswanaCraft on Friday  was inspirational and as director of ceremonies, McJon Mosenene so aptly stated, “they will be showcasing what Botswana is made of in terms of music.”

Kalahari Roses, a collaboration of some of Botswana’s renowned artists, produced an album dubbed Tales from Botswana which they would promote during their tour of eight cities in Germany. They will perform at music festivals in Maiz, Lohnberg, Hofgut Habitzheim, Kassel, Wetzlar, Fulda, Marburg and Lich.

Kalahari Roses consists of  songbirds, Kearoma Rantao, Nnunu Ramogotsi, Letso Motshidiemang, guitarist and vocalist Kabo Leburu, Kabelo Tamukate on bass guitar and Wynton Senwelo on drums.

The stars of the show were Kabo Leburu who drove the audience wild as he played his fingers up and down the strings of his guitar; and songbirds Kearoma Rantao and Nnunu Ramogotsi whose voices and electric stage performance worked the audience into a frenzy of excitement.

The nucleus of the frontline of Kalahari Roses each performed a few numbers before they played together as a band to showcase what they will be performing on their tour. Kearoma’s entrance caused a stir, clad in her now signature African skirt, heavy beaded jewellery and wild hairstyle,  she sang Africa with emotion.

When she performed Meropa from her new album, the crowds rushed to the stage, singing with her as they recognised the lyrics.  Next was Kabo, clad in shiny brown pants, white shirt and tiger-skin print hat, who started strumming up a storm with his guitar.

A versatile artist, Kabo proved his talent when he strummed his guitar expertly, blew into the harmonica and sang Waiting for Your Lover. Even seasoned musicians say being able to play two musical instruments at the same time is difficult, but Kabo did it with ease.

However, it was BOMA’s multi-award winning Nnunu Ramogotsi that got the audience onto the dance floor, swaying in rythm with the music, screaming and ululating. She took the stage by storm with Pampi creating a rush as the crowds flooded the dance floor. It was a cold night, but with the heat of the dance floor, jackets and blankets were thrown off.

Nnunu, looking stunning in a flowing peach dress with gold accessories, kept the audience on their feet with her song Potlang ka ko re bone tsie.
It was a night of astounding talent, described by the MC as a ‘blast’, the show was certainly worth P100.

There is nothing as mesmerising as watching musicians thoroughly enjoying themselves on stage, and Kalahari Roses were certainly having the time of their lives as they bid Botswana farewell. That their album, Tales from Botswana was a product of passion is an inspiration and a sign of their commitment as musicians.

Recorded at BotswanaCraft in September 2012, it was the first result of Mogopong Sessions, and there was no money involved in the project. However, since then they have received supported from the Department of Arts and Culture, German Embassy, Music and Technic (Germany), O-Tone Music (Germany), BotswanaCraft and Lobebe Lwa Ngwao. Other sponsors include Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO), BotswanaCraft and Mahindra.  ENDS