12 Mar 2026

The Association of Schools Performing Arts (ABOSPA), in partnership with the University of Botswana (UB), will tomorrow host the Performing Arts Charity Festival 2026 in aid to the Pudulogong Rehabilitation Centre for the Blind in Mochudi.

The event will take place at the UB Indoor Sports Centre in Gaborone. ABOSPA president, Gobuamang Bakwena, said the Pudulogong Live Band would share the stage with last year’s ABOSPA champions. The festival will also feature a wide range of performances, including UB’s live band, drama, chorale, poetry, and traditional song and dance.

“Other groups include Gaborone University College (drama and live band), Regent International School (marimba band, poetry, and back track), Ngami Junior Secondary School (traditional song and dance), Botswana Accountancy College from Francistown (chorale and drama), Mogoditshane Senior Secondary School (chorale), and Kgatleng Brigade’s poetry team, among many others,” announced Bakwena.

The guest speaker will be Prophet Joel Keitumele, popularly known as Ntsoro. Bakwena stated that proceeds from the festival would go toward purchasing new instruments for the Pudulogong Live Band.

“Instruments such as drum sets need to be replaced or repaired. Our goal is to refurbish their equipment so they can continue to dazzle audiences and earn a living through music, as they once did,” he said.

The Pudulogong Live Band has a rich legacy, having nurtured celebrated local artistes such as the late Donald ‘Don B’ Botshelo (of Bananyana ba Serowe and Bana ba di Dotcom fame), Annah Fike, Ey Brizzy (renowned for the hit Elizabeth), and Lentswe La Botlhokwa Pono, among others.

“As associations of arts, we found it fitting to extend a helping hand to Pudulogong Rehabilitation Centre. We hope to sustain the band’s legacy and inspire new generations of blind students to follow in the footsteps of these legends,” Bakwena added.

He appealed to citizens and well-wishers to support the initiative, noting that tickets were still available. BOPA