16 Dec 2025

The Christmas and New Year’s Day festivities have kicked in and across the country, a familiar sound is dominating the airwaves, the booming bass of South African and local hits played on repeat. This year, however, the festive cheer comes with a twist of high-stakes competition. Forget the usual holiday rush, the real battleground is the music scene.
With three massive international festivals, Born and Raised in Serowe, Kanye Festive Xplosion (K.F.X) in Kanye and the newcomer Pacers Live in Thamaga, all scheduled for the same night on December 20, music lovers must now make a difficult choice. Will they follow the headlining acts or stick with brands they have been loyal to?
One Berthold Auerbach says, “Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life,” and its universal, emotional depth is often emphasised during this season of festivities.
Some say without music, life would be lifeless, for life comes and goes, but music comes and stays. It is the sound of the heart that stirs when the beat of music is played.
While music is enjoyed all year round, with new songs now blasting the airwaves, it somehow feels different during the Christmas holiday: as if hit songs are only produced in December, or that songs resonate in a particular way this time of year.
This season is synonymous with loud music, with what are perceived as hit songs on repeat. One can hear them playing from loud car radios, shopping malls, and households.
Now, although three shows are held on the same date in different places, which would under normal circumstances mean a good thing for revellers, perhaps reducing travel congestion and crowding at the mentioned events, the question remains - How will the turnout at these events be? Will it be determined by loyalty or by headline acts?
One thing about Batswana is their loyalty to a brand, especially one that has been consistent. Born and Raised has its prints on Batswana’s hearts, and its patrons, especially those from the Central District, have not been shaken; they even buy the merchandise year in, year out. It is the same with K.F.X, it is the patrons from the Southern part of Botswana who flock to Kanye for this event. The event has proved to be a great experience for its patrons over the years, slowly building a brand that is now on everyone’s lips come this season.
However, because of the magnitude of these events, loyal revellers from both sides of the country have always attended both events, especially since they have not always had the same date for their events.
On one hand, Pacers Live comes in as a new baby, bringing luxury and a whole A-List lineup of favourite trending acts from South Africa with hit songs ‘perfect for the festive season.’ But luxury does not come cheap and while patrons welcomed the refreshing aspect of entertainment that Pacers Live is bringing, others have qualms about the ticket price, as well as the risk that almost all of the trending acts from South Africa may not honour the show and perform.
After all, Batswana have experienced on many occasions a no-show from their favourite artistes at music festivals, with reasons ranging from missing flights, double bookings in Botswana and sometimes both in Botswana and elsewhere.
Now, loyalty will be tested this year, especially for K.F.X and Pacers Live, as they are both in the Southern part of Botswana with a proximity of approximately 40km. Herein comes the issue of safety on the roads, as speed, substance use and careless driving come into play, as revellers tend to be over-excited during the festive season.
As much as the two are not so distant apart from each other, perhaps patrons should in this instance make a definite decision on which event they are supporting. After all, some of the artistes are double-booked at both shows and even at Born and Raised. Scott Maphuma and Culture Spears are both booked at Born and Raised and Pacers Live, while Young Stunna has a double booking for Pacers Live and K.F.X and Charma Gal is booked at both K.F.X and Born and Raised.
K.F.X ticketing is simple and affordable for the average patron, to spoil themselves with a VIP ticket. A general ticket is P200 and P250 at the gate, with P600 as VIP, which includes secured parking, private restrooms, security, a cash bar and a food stall.
While the general ticket for Born and Raised is the same as K.F.X at P200, they went a little pricey in their VIP themed packages. ENDS