27 Oct 2026

The grounds of Down the Stream in Ranaka are set to pulse with the heartbeat of Botswana’s traditional music on Saturday as the second edition of the Gong Master Remembrance Show takes centre stage.

More than a concert, the event stands as a living memorial to the late Mponang ‘Gong-Master’ Ketshabile, the towering traditional song and dance icon affectionately known as Tau Ya Koma, the Lion of Song and a powerful platform to mentor and elevate his son, Kaboyaone ‘Tawana Ya Koma’ Ketshabile, as he carves his path in the industry.Gong-Master, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 50, left a mark on Botswana’s cultural landscape.

A co-founder and former lead vocalist of the celebrated Dikakapa traditional troupe, he later soared as a solo artist under the Tau Ya Koma banner, weaving rich Setswana storytelling, rhythmic innovation and cultural pride into songs that still echo across the nation. Tracks such as Mosasankegi, Sankoma, Ntlogelang and Rangangapane remain touchstones of traditional excellence.

His radio work on Duma FM further cemented his role as a guardian of Setswana language and heritage.

This year’s show deliberately centres around legacy while handing the baton to the next generation.

The thrilling lineup includes Franco and Afro-musica, Vee-Mampeezy, Dr Vom, Ditiro Leero, Tshumu, Bona GNT, Makwakwa, Ramonyaku and South African artist Keitumetse Mangate.

At the heart of the bill is Tawana Ya Koma himself.

The young artist, who has already performed alongside groups such as Dikakapa and featured in tribute concerts honouring his father, will step into the spotlight as both performer and living link to the Gong-Master’s enduring spirit.

Co-organiser Ditiro Leero described the occasion, in an interview, as both a recognition of the late legend and a deliberate act of mentorship, giving Tawana Ya Koma the stage, the crowd and the cultural weight to grow under the watchful eyes of the very community that raised his father.He said the second edition promises a heavyweight gathering of traditional and contemporary music heavyweights, turning Ranaka into a temporary capital of song and dance.

Leero assured fans that the stage will blaze with the energy of established traditional ensembles that once shared the circuit with Gong-Master, alongside rising voices who carry the same flame of cultural pride.

The lineup is designed to move seamlessly between pure traditional rhythms, Tswana-pop innovations and the high-octane dance styles that keep village grounds and urban stages equally alive.

Fans can anticipate thunderous group performances, call-and-response anthems, and moments of quiet homage when the music pauses to honour the man whose roar still defines the genre.

Beyond the music, the festival carries a deeper cultural charge.

It returns traditional performance to the soil of Ranaka, Gong-Master’s own roots, allowing elders, youth and cultural practitioners to gather in celebration rather than mourning.Gates open early on Saturday, with main performances expected to run into the evening. Organisers are urging fans to arrive on time to  support the food and craft stalls. ENDS