13 Nov 2023

A magical night. An epic show. The BDF bands in concert style returns to Matshekege Hill School for the first time post COVID-19.

Patrons slowly trickle into the school hall to revel at the presentation of 30th  BDF Bands in Concert style. They did not surge in droves, but it was almost a full house.

Fresh from a delivery of two epic shows at Sir Seretse Khama Barracks, Mogoditshane, and Lady Khama Hall, Serowe, the BDF Bands In Concert Style descended in Bobonong for yet another captivating show.

On November 3, the men and women in uniform donated P100 000 to various charitable causes in Gaborone.

Saturday night, in a night of pure joy and magical performances, the BDF donated P25 000 to Isago Center For The Vulnerable Trust collected by Keineetse Osupile  in Bobonong.

The handover was preceded by the military band repertoire, presenting The Lion King Medley by John Higgins, Highland Cathedral – The Royal Scotts Dragon Guards arranged by warrant officer Ngoni before wrapping their stay on the stage with Mannenberg- Abdul Ibrahim arranged by Major Garekwe.

At the time revelers sat sparsely distributed inside the students’ hall as they slowly trickled in to feed on the products of exquisitely honed voice and astutely choreographed moves on musical items by both members of the BDF and some acclaimed artists.

While captivating their patrons, some sweating profusely with sweat permeating through their military shirts while also streaming down their cheeks, the 30th BDF presentation fused their enthralling performances with reiterating messages which are currently making waves.

Apart from raising funds for charity the concert seeks to give soul to the universe and cheerfulness to life in general. Indeed, the BDF performers ticked all the boxes of rendering some exquisite performers, playing music that thrown some revelers into nostalgia. Sentimental, the patrons rose to a delivery of ‘Selemela’ by Lucky Chops Brass Quintet and put song to the musical.

As the BDF mesmerized their patrons, they also amplified the government’s call for Mindset Change starting with mimic of Ratsie Setlhako’ song before their own arranged musical items reiterating the same call.

Not only did the men and women in uniform amplify the Mindset Change campaign, they also played music of love as Lizibo’s ‘Mosadi O Ntshiwa Di Out.’ The compositions were against performing tasks that do not bear fruits, poor work ethic while simultaneously calling for digitalisation to fast track process which could have been slower without tapping technology.

Moreover, the bands from the various camps across the country, spread the anti-gender based violence (GBV) campaign.

In a group dance band repertoire, a musical item dubbed ‘Kgokgontsho’ arranged by Chedza Fane chastised GBV and the perpetrators.

“O mo kgokgontshetsang ngwana yoo? Ha o sa mmatle mo tlogele…” an excerpt from the song quizzing on violence and appealing to perpetrators to leave their  victims alone if they no longer loved them. BOPA