Sir Seretse Khama Barracks Amphitheatre was the place to be on Friday December 8th as Ministers, MPs, Permanent Secretaries and managers from the private sector got together to put their money where their mouth is in a night filled with song, comedy and the usual aura of the Christmas spirit.
It was an opportune time for the ‘baby-boomers’ to demonstrate to fans of My Star how they used to do it back in the day.
Assistant Minister of Health Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri got the ball rolling with his double performance before handing over the microphone to the Minister of Education and Skills Development Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi who seemed (at least for the night) to have set aside all the burden from her troubled ministry as she looked much more relaxed in a pair of jeans and sneakers.
She also belted out the mandatory two songs with relatively good renditions of ‘Botsotsi’ and Barry Manilow’s ‘You raised Me Up’.
Next on stage was her assistant, Keletso Rakhudu, who displayed his impressive guitar skills coupled with good vocals as he also did his double performance including the popular Setswana folk Khukhwanyana which he dedicated to a late friend with whom he said they played in a band together back in 1981 when he was still a school teacher.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Pono Moatlhodi, seemed to have gone the extra mile, playing his own personal compositions. Evidently though, he never got time to rehearse as he kept referring to a piece of paper for lyrics throughout his performances. Given his vocals, it is safe to say he should stick to politics because there is no way he can sing for a living.
Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Oreeditse Molebatsi, gave one of the best vocal performances of the night with two gospel songs followed up by the Assistant Minister of Presidential Affairs Dr Gloria Somolekae, whose renditions of Tumelo Ke Thebe and Amazing Grace conjured up memories of Sunday school. She could have easily been mistaken for a pre-schooler by someone listening from outside the walls of the theatre.
Next on stage was the ever vibrant Assistant Minister of Local Government, Botlogile Tshireletso, who also gave a relatively average performance. Following Tshireletso was the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Skills development, Kgopotso Ramoroka, who won the audience’s approval with his incredible gospel vocals and dance moves. He can definitely sing for a living.
Another good performer was Mascom’s Peggy Ratsebe who scooped the price for best female. Ramoroka won the floating trophy for best overall performance. Other winners were Venson-Moitoi, Keletso Rakhudu, Oreeditse Molebatsi and Pono Moatlhodi. The Vice President Ponatshego Kedikilwe also made a cameo appearance.
The concert was organised by the department of ICT and Media services under the ministry of Education and Skills Development. The proceeds from the ticket sales will go towards their social responsibility projects while the pledges will be used to furnish five hospitals in Maun, Molepolole, Serowe, Mahalapye and Ghanzi with television sets.
