The Francistown-based traditional group, Nthinthe, is growing in leaps and bounds owing to popularity, humility, generosity and simplicity.
The group is organizing a show to launch their debut album, called Mogatsaka, and to also raise money to assist a destitute in Extension location in Francistown.
They intend to build a house for her.
With an album that is already doing very well in the market, the group leader, Ontiretse Zuma Bakaile, told the Sunday Standard in an interview that the group will hold an album launch in Francistown on 23rd April this year which will involve South Africa’s Gospel sensation, Winnie Mashaba.
“We managed to invite Winnie to light up our show, as she is very famous and has a great following in the country,” he said.
The group leader revealed that by taking care of the disadvantaged, it is another way of proving that music should not only be about profit making, but should also play a role in community building.
He added that last year during the festive season they raised P63 000 through their performances in order to pay Winnie Mashaba to come grace their album launch.
Bakaile also stated that they are working in collaboration with a Francistown Monarch-based group, Youth Fighting Against Poverty, which also contributed P20 000 towards Mashaba’s fee.
“The proceeds from the coming show will be used to build a house for the destitute I discovered in Extension 2,” Bakaile said.
He also revealed that the Francistown Disaster Committee will also get a share of 10 percent from the proceeds.
Bakaile stated that the supporting groups at the festivals will include famous singer and comedian Joel (Ntsoro), Mareledi, MC Maswe, Lebi and Thuso Tiego, together with local DJs, like DJ Zola.
Of their album, Bakaile said that the group is receiving more response than they anticipated as they continue to enjoy air play on local radio stations and even on Botswana Television.
“Our tickets will range from P250 for adults to P100 for children. The show will begin in the morning up until late,” he said.
