What began with uncertainty ended in triumph for the organisers of this year’s Maun Rock Festival, as fans of rock ‘n’ roll from across Botswana gathered in Maun for a powerful celebration of music, culture, and identity.
The festival, which started amid issues with sound, elevated in time and when the peak of the festival came into view Remuda’s lead vocalist and guitarist Cochise Cachari, grabbed the mic and reached out to the audience reminding them that the rock fest was about the people and as long as the people were there then rock would be alive.
Not long after the issues were resolved and Remuda roared and ripped electric guitar chords to the delight of the black leather clad Rock n Roll fans.
Cachari cut his performance midways at some point and ordered a drink on stage, in true rock and roll fashion before charging the crowd with a guitar rift. By the time the trio guitarists from Skinflint took stage and took over the crowed was ablaze howling and whistling as the rock n roll spirit took over.
Organiser Boago Maphane reflected on the event, describing it as one that “did not start according to plan but ended well.”
A major milestone for the festival was its reliance on pre-ticket sales, which Maphane said marked a significant improvement from previous years.
“It shows growth in the festival,” he noted.
True to the spirit of the rock ‘n’ roll subculture, this year’s festival unfolded peacefully, with no altercations or disruptions.
“That’s part of our identity,” Maphane said. “Rock ‘n’ roll, or MaRock as we call it here, stands for peace and expression.”
While the festival remains largely self-funded by the organisers, Maphane hinted that future editions will aim to secure sponsorships to scale the event further. “We’re still perfecting the ins and outs of creating a successful event,” he said, “but the next one will come back bigger and better.”
One festivalgoer shared a heartfelt moment: “The last time I saw that person was in 2004. Reuniting after 20 years. It felt like I was meeting a long-lost friend again.” Beyond the music, the event showcased leather regalia, high-energy marches, and expressive dancing that have become symbolic of Botswana’s emerging rock subculture. The crowd a diverse mix of men and women wore their individuality with pride, each person a walking embodiment of what the movement stands for: being unafraid to stand out.
“It’s a space where being different is celebrated,” said one attendee. “We’re just ordinary people some are Christians, some have different beliefs some have families but here, we’re free to be fully ourselves.”
When dawn broke men and women stood tall denying the sleep and rocking on and on. The guitar rift and the drum bash keeping rock alive.
