Kgosikgolo Tawana Moremi II’s welcome back celebration held in Maun last week Friday was indisputably the most exciting and memorable event for the tribe of Batawana in the recent times.
The tribe came in large numbers to be part of the event that was dedicated to celebrate Kgosi Tawana’s return to office, the responsibilities which he reassumed on April 3rd, 2023. It was a fun-filled day that got everyone elated as elderly women geared up in their traditional attire ‘ditjale’ ululated nonstop for every exciting moment.
One of the items on the programme of the day that got people thrilled was the entertainment part. If it was not Chris Manto 7 behind the decks getting attendees down on the dance floor, it was other performers comprising of musicians, poets, traditional groups lined up for the event who also got them tuned into a joyful mood.
Though performances from each and every entertainer booked for the celebration were undeniably amazing, it was legendary guitarist and folklore singer Stiger Sola as well as young poet, Katlego Emily Mpudi who stole the show with their respective mesmerising performances. Their pieces were certainly among the best parts of the celebrations.
Stiger Sola rocked the stage before Mpudi and one could tell that many were not happy with the time he was allocated which limited him to perform only two songs. The legendary folklore singer however did not disappoint as he got the crowd on the dance floor, and left them asking for more, having given them his best in that short period of time.
In his first performance Sola played a freestyle hit about ‘di-Katse’ referring to Meth cathinone/ CAT which was inspired by concerns from the crowd that the popular drug continues to destroy many youthful lives in Maun. Parents had risen to plead for the intervention of Kgosi Tawana.
Alongside his base guitar partner, Sola through his electrifying performance got everyone including the former Batawana Regent Kealetile Moremi among other delegates glued to the dance floor. The freestyle came as a challenge from MC of the day who was left astonished that Sola outdid the task as if the song was one of his.
Sola closed his performance with ‘Katjire’ one of his popular old hit songs that always gets his fans go crazy especially when it shift into the base guitar mode. The 70-year old’s Friday performance proved that he still remains a favorite legendary guitarist to many especially the elderly who seemed to be reminiscing their olden youthful days through his music.
Later on was Mpudi who rocked the stage in a traditional costume alongside two supporting elderly partners whose roles were to usher her in with ululations. The performance was dedicated to the man of the moment, Moremi whom in most part of the poem was described as a truly humble man and Mpudi wished him the best in his new chapter. The poem got everyone filled with such delight while others confessed that to a certain extent they were left in an emotional state. Mohumagadi Boitshoko Moremi couldn’t help it but also went down the stage to embrace the young girl. Mpudi is the reigning mini Miss Botswana and soon she is headed for Thailand for other international competitions.
Other performers who also did not disappoint but gave their best included, It Is Written Choir, Delta Desert Choir, Roo La Nkwe, King Dallas, Phadi Dube, Mosimasika Group, Tshepi Wa Digalase and Pinagare Group among others.
