Both are 24 years old, but highly acclaimed performers on the local urban music scene. Vee is an older hand and has pioneered the kwaito-kwasa sound to rave reviews. He recently released his sixth album returning to slow and mid tempo kwaito.
Mapetla is 2 albums deep and made ‘traditional’ kwaito work for him.
They have the same audience but, amazingly according Zenzele Hirschfeld of Zen Promotions, they have never performed on the same bill.
Both are scheduled to perform on May 26, 2007 at the National Stadium in Gaborone for the Botswana National Sports Council’s fundraiser music festival planned to raise funds for its Re Ba Bona Ha grassroots sport development programme. The charity festival is coordinated by Zen Promotions.
“Everyone is invited because all the proceeds go to the Re Ba Bona Ha initiative.”
The festival boasts an epic line-up of Vee, Mapetla, former Idols contestant and SAMA award winner, Zamajobe, and her band, Mafikizolo, who will be performing in Botswana with a live band for the first time, afro pop singer Ntando, and SAMA award-winning Tswana rapper, Tuks Senganga, will also be performing in Botswana for the first time. Vocalist, Punah Gabasiane, who is dubbed the local Queen of Jazz, and traditional Tswana group, Machesa, will also perform with a live band.
A series of deejays, which include DJ Sly, and Owen Rampha, will play during intervals.
“It just so happens that Batswana are thirsty for the long overdue musical performances hosted at the stadium. But this time we are including everyone,” says Zenzele. “We have current music that covers a range of genres that appeal to a cross-section audience too, hence the emphasis on live bands. Some of the mature audiences can get to see Vee and Mapetla perform.
She went on, “In contrast to past shows hosted at the stadium, Re Ba Bona Fa Music Festival carries 50 percent local content rather than 10 percent. Tickets cost P100 in advance and P120 at the gate and I encourage everyone to keep watch of the media for ticket selling point announcements.”
