The six secondary schools in Maun are set to benefit from music talent shows to be hosted by CMD Records this year. The talent shows will rotate among all the five junior secondary schools and Maun Senior Secondary School.
The talent shows project was initially billed for 2020, but was put on hold due to the Covid 19 pandemic. The main objective of the initiative is to empower and uplift young people who have talent and interest in music.
CMD Records Producer Mmoloki Carlos Ditsheko, has said the shows will be an annual event.
He told The Weekender that the shows are meant to unearth young talent in music and production. He indicated that the shows will continue to be hosted in the Ngami and Okavango sub districts before heading to Ghanzi district and other parts of Botswana.
He further explained that CMD Records will sponsor the winners of the shows with recording contracts of their albums at their studios in Maun. Two winners will be selected to compete for the Grand Finale from where a winner will be chosen.
Ditsheko revealed that local musician Baitshepi Mwachisenge who goes by the stage name, Chris Manto 7 and Maun Businessman, Reaboka Mbulawa have come on board to ensure the shows become a success.
“The two gentlemen also believe Ngamiland has a lot of talent that need to be nurtured and motivated,” Ditsheko noted.
Meanwhile CMD Records has successfully secured financial sponsorship from Iphitlhe Funeral Parlour as the main sponsors of the project whose anticipated budget is about P100 000 annually for all events covering preliminary competitions, the grand finale, recording of the album for the winner as well as the prizes for second and third positions.
The organisers also seek to have a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Education on the project ensure its sustainability in the long run.
The CMD Records opened back in 2007 and has recorded and produced music for some well-established artists, among them Chris Manto 7, Slizer, Mantshwabisi brothers, Vee.
