The BOT50 Secretariat in conjunction with the private sector will on April 30 host one of the biggest music shows in the history of Botswana entertainment in their effort to hype up the country’s upcoming independence golden jubilee celebrations,
The event, with a mouth-watering line-up of more than 45 strictly local artists and DJs, will be held at the Lobatse stadium from Saturday 8am until Sunday 6am. Speaking to Sunday Standard on Thursday, BOT50 Coordinator Charity Kgotlafela said the Youth Pop Up Bash is just one of the many pleasant surprises they have in store for Batswana as preparations for the big day, September 30, gain momentum.
Kgotlafela said they have partnered with the private sector, among them Kgalagadi Breweries and Sprint Couriers to put together a music show that celebrates the country’s achievements in the arts sector. “We have deliberately decided to be selfish and strictly engage local artists as this is one event that is aimed at celebrating our country”, Kgotlafela said in defence of their decision to snub foreign acts. She said they have brought in a mixture of established musicians and new comers so that the young ones can learn from the veterans. Kgotlafela also revealed that they have partnered with Botswana Railways which has agreed to ferry revellers from as far places as Francistown to come and be part of this historic event at subsidised fares.
She said revellers are therefore encouraged to use the train to arrive in Lobatse on Saturday morning and catch it again in the morning of Sunday on their way back to Gaborone and other destinations all the way to Francistown. The Coordinator also encouraged youth entrepreneurs to seize this opportunity and sell Botswana colour-branded (blue, black, white) merchandise to patrons as these colours will be the only requirement needed for entry. “All you need is to come dressed in Botswana colours and you will be guaranteed free entry into the stadium”, Kgotlafela emphasised.
The all-night music show will feature various musicians and DJ’s who were selected from across the country from different genres. The icing on the cake at the Lobatse gig will be performances by Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture Thapelo Olopeng who goes by the sobriquet DJ Tipps, accompanied by area MP Sadique Kebonang who will on the day go by the name DJ Sadique. Kgotlafela said their target for this event is the youth and has made an assurance that the elders will be catered for at a show that is going to be held in Selibe-Phikwe in May where the target will be 50-year-olds and above.
