30 Oct 2013

UNIGEM has started and sponsored the first Botlhe Medical Aid Choir Competition which was held on September 5.

On October 29 the company presented cheques to the four choirs which took part in the competition. Prominent choirs such as Gaborone Youth Singers competed and it scooped first position to receive prize money of P15 000.  The second position went to Ramotswa-based Andante Chorus who received P10 000.

Position three went to Maikano Serenaders with P5 000 while Philharmonic got a consolation prize of P2 000 in the fourth slot. Speaking at the hand over of cheques, UNIGEM chief executive officer, Julian Willie said his company intended to give back to the community every year.

This year, he said, UNIGEM realised that choral music seemed to be neglected in Botswana, hence the company saw it fit to have a competition that would in the end benefit local choirs.

Willie said UNIGEM also wanted to create a platform where choirs could come together to perform for the public. He noted that the competition was an open invitation to all choirs across the country, but some were doubtful of the initiative hence they did not take part.

However, he said the event was a success and expressed hope that next year it would be bigger.  Some choirs have already started registering for next year.

He UNIGEM also planned to take the sponsorship to secondary schools so that the national talent could come to the fore. UNIGEM is a company that administers and manages the Government Employees Motor Vehicle and Residential Property Guaranteed Advance Scheme on behalf of the government. The company also administers Botlhe Medical Aid. ENDS