After kicking off with a bang last weekend the Gaborone International Music and Culture (GIMC) week wrapped up with a star-studded music festival last night (September 3) at the National Stadium. 

The week-long event began with a jazz concert featuring Jonathan Butler on Saturday August 27, followed by theatre at Mantlwaneng on Tuesday night where Tefo Paya’s play Morwa: The Rising Son stole the show. The play focuses on the complicated life of a boy’s journey to manhood with the young man, Morwa, narrating his experiences throughout the play. 

Paya was magnificent but the piece would not have been the same without the percussionist. The strange and subtle sounds he made throughout the play coupled with the setting and Paya’s performance created an intense and captivating atmosphere that left the audience in awe. 

Donald Molosi and Moduduetso Lecoge also performed Blue Black & White based on Sir Seretse Khama and Ruth Khama’s love story, and A Woman of Many Firsts based on the life of Dr Gaositwe Chiepe respectively. Theatre was followed by poetry on Wednesday at Botswana Craft featuring among others Lebo Mashile, Morwa Motsamai, and Poetess Phopho. GIMC choral night took place at Maitisong on Thursday night and featured KTM Choir, Gaborone Philharmonic Voices, St. Conrad’s Catholic Choir and Andante Choir. The comedy night on Friday featured Doc Vikela (Zim), Mawee, Phenyo, and others.