18 Aug 2026

The Taste of Africa Saturday Ballads returns to Avani Resort and Casino this Saturday, bringing together thousands of attendees for a day dedicated to soulful music, wellness and peer connection.

Through sponsorship and partnerships from AVANI, Sunbet Botswana, Coca-Cola, Amarula, BTV and Mercy Murc, the event has in the past experienced rapid growth, with ticket sales increasing from 800 in its inaugural event to over a thousand attendees in subsequent gatherings. 

With a dynamic and expanding audience from various locations even beyond Botswana, the Saturday Ballads’ aim is to showcase the soul genre’s beauty, rhythm and passion where attendees can relax, reconnect and enjoy a day centred on an enjoyable atmosphere. 

Themed: Denim and White, the event’s intended selection of soul ballad acts such as Resego Motlhokathari, Dj Obza, Osi Lashani, Lawry-T, DJ Mo-Gee, JazzyPete as well as South Africa acts Koki Molf, Dj Kgantsho and Charles Matlou, also incorporates elements of fashion and wine tasting. 

“The initial concept was to bring Radio soul ballads presenters to the people and it worked very well but we keep adding those that are strictly playing soul ballads in different gigs,” the event curator, Kennedy Ramojela said in an interview. 

The venue choice, AVANI also aligns with the event’s upscale image, emphasising safety and elegance which patrons appreciate. 

Again, with an expanding audience from even outside the country, the event is a boost to the country’s tourism while also putting Gaborone on the map as a lifestyle event city. 

“Our vision is to see this event growing to the extent that we can host it in different locations in Botswana monthly,” Ramojela noted, adding that funding and partnerships remained essential for future growth. ENDS