Ephraim Keoreng
7 January 2009
As the new year begins, musicians, just like anyone, are drawing their resolutions to guide them through the year as they go about their business of entertaining the listening public.
Popular Botswana artist, Puna Gabasiane said that she intends to sharpen her skills by doing a lot of rehearsals so that she can have the best stage work in town. She also intends to release an album this year.
"Last year I didn't release an album. The last one was Tshwaraganang, which I released in 2007. It is quite a good album and I now have the challenge of beating it," she said.
Gabasiane also said that she intends to expand her outfit called Puna Entertainment. She said she has been organising corporate events where her band will participate.
She also said that she is embarking on a project to help talented young musicians to develop their skills.
"I have been tutoring young kids and this time I intend to do more comprehensive music programme with them to help them better their skills. But this time I will be doing it on a large scale and charging a fee," she said.
Kabelo Mogwe says that this year their fans will see a new Culture Spears. He said that they realised that in the entertainment industry you need to keep on improving your work "otherwise you would lose your fans as you bore them. We have already done some changes. We have a new beautiful attire and even our dance moves are new".
He also said that the long awaited video of their popular album, Khudu is being shot at the moment. Asked about the website that the Culture Spears quartet promised last year, he said that they are at an advanced stage and they will make an announcement once it is ready.
"We need it to communicate with our fans and give them updates on our tours and any latest information that they may need. It is also helpful in that it will help us interact with them on a one-on-one basis," he said.
The group has been involved in donations of items like blankets, which went to orphans in places like Tlokweng and Mochudi. Mogwe said that they have now decided to reach out to remote areas like Mohembo and Seronga "so that they too can benefit from our benevolent programme. People in remote areas are some of the most supportive when it comes to buying our CDs," he said.
Contacted for comment, Kwasa-Kwasa maestro, Frank Lesokwane, popularly known as Franco, said that he was still fatigued from his countrywide trip over the festive season, but he was quick to point out that "what I have realised is that people, especially in remote areas, are not conversant with the new laws regulating shows and the sale of liquor at nightclubs and other entertainment venues. Some didn't even know that the clubs close at 12 midnight or at two in the morning.
Even some police officers are causing a lot of confusion. They would just force us to close down at 12 even when the permit is written two am," he said.
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