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8TH YARONA FM MUSIC AWARDS (YAMAs) – DRIP TILL INFINITY
Gaborone, August 22, 2023 – The highly anticipated 8th edition of the Yarona FM Music Awards (YAMAs) is all set to take place this November. After a virtual hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the YAMAs are returning in full glory with a physical attendance. The awards ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, November 11th, 2023, at Molapo Showcase Piazza. The theme for this year’s event is “Drip till Infinity.”
The YAMAs, a prominent event in the local music industry, aim to recognize and celebrate exceptional contributions by individuals within the Botswana music sector. This platform allows local musicians to gain recognition both domestically and on the international stage, thus showcasing their talent and efforts.
Owen Rampha, the General Manager of Yarona FM, emphasized the significance of the YAMAs in the local music scene. He hopes that the awards will serve as a stepping stone for winners to achieve even greater success on a global scale.
The competition is fierce across all award categories, with Chef Gustos leading the pack with an impressive seven nominations. Han C and DJ Ngwazi follow closely with five nominations each. The People’s Choice Award includes notable names like A.T.I, Han C, Jordan Moozy, William Last KRM, and Veezo View, enabling the public to vote for their favorites.
Voting for the YAMAs is now open and will continue until midnight on October 31st, 2023. Event tickets are available through Webtickets starting from August 24th, 2023. Discounts are available for purchases made via Mascom MyZaka, and early bird discounts are also available. Ticket prices range from P200 for general tickets to P5,000 for VVIP tickets for 2 people.
The success of the 8th YAMAs is made possible by the support of sponsors such as Okavango Diamond Company, Mascom Wireless, and Taurus.
Categories and Nominees:
1. PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD:
- A.T.I (Batho Bame)
- Han-C
- Jordan Moozy
- William Last KRM
- Veezo View
2. BEST MALE SINGLE:
- Chef Gustos feat Priscilla K. – Away
- Danxelle – Distance
- Ezra Neethings – Danko
- Han-C – Sebinki
- Jordan Moozy feat Veezo View – Ginja
- Zeus Deuce – Kotsi
3. BEST FEMALE SINGLE:
- Courtney – Blue Skies
- Dj Kholii feat. Imanii – Khubule
- Kayso the eningma – Cherry Bomb
- Ms Abbey feat MELO – Wena Wareng? – Iwe
- Parmalat Barbie- XoXo
- Taffiny – Everywhere
4. BEST MALE ALBUM:
- Fella-The Beat
- Chef Gustos
- Buti On The Track
- Iem Suffocate
- WayKay Bw
5. BEST FEMALE ALBUM:
- William Last KRM
- Kiyoshima Edits
- Oska Bora Teachere
- FME – BW
- Mdu Tha Party
6. BEST AMAPIANO SONG:
- Dr. Dasu feat TEDDY WEST – Shake
- Ezra Neethings – Danko
- Haitche – What I Like
- Han-C – Sebinki
- Ms Abbey feat Melo – Iwe
- TEDDY WEST feat Thami – Gimme sum lovin’
7. BEST DJ:
- Chef Gustos
- FME – BW
- DJ Luu
- DJ EARTH
- DJ Millz
- Dj Kholii
- Dj Bunny
- DJ KMG
8. BEST RNB SINGLE:
- Courtney – Blue Skies
- Danxelle – Distance
- Jordan Moozy ft Veezo View – Ginja
- Taffiny – Everywhere
- Thomas Chilume feat Danxelle & Taffiny – All for me
- WNDR – Malibu
9. BEST DANCE SINGLE:
- De General & Amantle Brown – Go Monate
- DEEJAY BENGWAS x Lerato Modiega x EPIC Mo ft Kiyoshima Edits – Mapevha
- Dj Ngwazi91& Master KG SA Music Feat. Nokwazi Dlamini, Lowsheen & Caltonic SA – Uthando
- Dj Shawn Lee & Lioness Ratang feat Dj Kuchi – Your Love
- Sir Diamond- INT feat SUL-Q & Thato Tladi – Nkatumele
- Team Distant feat Jinger Stone – Ringtone
10. BEST HIPHOP SINGLE:
- Ban T – Morale
- M.O.D – BigFun feat SCAR – BW & HT
- Tautona Mabua – Preach
- Mista Ryan Blaze feat William Last KRM – Lit up.
- KX Legit – Back 2 Moshate
- TEDDY WEST feat Dr. Dasu – For the Money
- Zeus Deuce – Kotsi
11. BEST COLLABORATION:
- Chef Gustos feat Priscilla K. – Away
- Da QuTness feat Dramaboi, Tefo Bright & Benson Hotkeys Moyo Zululista -iLevel
- De General & Amantle Brown – Go Monate
- Dj Ngwazi91 & Master KG SA Music Feat. Nokwazi Dlamini, Lowsheen & Caltonic SA – Uthando
- Team Distant feat Jinger Stone – Ringtone dance
- WayKay Bw feat Sjuta, Rea WMNTA & Dashing Cee & Ceeka Dubula – O ne o le Kae?
12. BEST NEWCOMER:
- Courtney – Blue Skies
- Danxelle – Distance
- Dj Kholii feat. Imanii – Khubule
- KX Legit – Back 2 Moshate
- Taffiny – Everywhere
- WayKay Bw feat Sjuta, Rea WMNTA & Dashing Cee & Ceeka Dubula – O ne o le Kae?
Please note that this article includes the categories and nominees for the 8th Yarona FM Music Awards (YAMAs) scheduled for November 11th, 2023. For more information and updates, visit the official Yarona FM website or follow their social media channels.
Paris Fashion Week became a little more Botswana this October as actress, media personality, and creative entrepreneur Marang Selolwane graced the MAXHOSA AFRICA runway.
Taking to social media, Marang shared her pride in representing Botswana on one of fashion’s biggest stages:
“From Africa to Paris, walking for MAXHOSA was more than fashion; it was a statement. It was history in motion. A celebration of culture, creativity, and connection, shared with my beautiful besties.”
The show, themed #ThePinkTableParis, was a striking celebration of African luxury and craftsmanship — hallmarks of the South African brand MAXHOSA AFRICA, founded by visionary designer Laduma Ngxokolo. Known for its bold knitwear and cultural storytelling, MAXHOSA’s presence in Paris signaled not only a creative milestone for African design but also a moment of pride for the continent’s creative community.
A Botswana Creative on Global Stages
For Marang, this runway wasn’t just about fashion. It symbolized the global rise of Batswana creativity — a reminder that Botswana’s creative talent is ready to be seen, celebrated, and included in global conversations around art, fashion, and culture.
As one of Botswana’s most recognizable creative figures, Marang has seamlessly blended media, entrepreneurship, and fashion throughout her career. Her appearance on the Paris runway reinforces her status as a cultural ambassador, showing that authenticity and representation go hand-in-hand with glamour and grace.
A Celebration of Culture and Connection
The MAXHOSA Paris show was more than a collection — it was a cultural movement. Through vibrant colors, intricate beadwork, and bold silhouettes, the runway showcased Africa’s ability to set trends rather than follow them.
Marang’s participation was not only symbolic of her own journey but also a statement of solidarity with African creatives redefining luxury and identity.
“It was history in motion,” she wrote — and indeed it was. From Gaborone to Paris, this moment reflects the global heartbeat of African creativity.
Botswana to the World
Marang Selolwane’s runway debut for MAXHOSA is more than a personal win — it’s a national moment. It affirms that Botswana’s creative industry has a place at the global table, and that its voices — expressive, grounded, and dynamic — continue to resonate beyond borders.
From Botswana to the world, Marang Selolwane walks not just in style, but in purpose.
Few stories capture the grit and artistry of Botswana’s creative scene like that of Mophato Dance Theatre. Their recent journey to the Cheonan World Dance Festival 2025 in South Korea, where they finished fourth out of thirty-eight global contenders, is not just a result to celebrate—it is a reflection of years of discipline, leadership, and unwavering belief in the power of dance.
Mophato has long stood as one of Botswana’s cultural exports, carrying stories rooted in tradition yet alive with contemporary energy. Their performances are more than choreography; they are carefully woven narratives where rhythm, athleticism, and emotion collide. Every sequence speaks of long nights in the rehearsal room, the resilience to keep going, and the hunger to represent Botswana with excellence on the world stage.
Central to this journey is Andrew Letso Kola, the visionary guiding Mophato with both discipline and care. His leadership has transformed the company into more than a dance troupe—it is now a collective that inspires young people to see possibility in their craft, to understand that discipline and creativity can open doors across borders. After Cheonan, his message to the team was clear: that their art and spirit have already made them champions, regardless of scorecards.
What makes Mophato remarkable is not only what they do on stage, but the hard work behind it. From raising funds to travel, to the countless hours of practice, to holding themselves accountable to the highest standards—Mophato embodies perseverance. And in doing so, they carry all of us along with them, showing that Botswana’s artistic voices can stand proudly in global arenas.
Their fourth-place finish at Cheonan is a milestone, but it is not the end. It is part of a bigger story—a story of Botswana’s creativity pushing boundaries, demanding recognition, and inspiring others to dream bolder. Mophato Dance Theatre reminds us that success is not just about trophies or rankings—it’s about impact, influence, and the courage to keep dancing forward.
Botswana’s own Sandi has proudly announced on Facebook that he contributed guitar work to Shekhinah’s surprise album Less Trouble. While the full scope of his input remains under wraps, we know for sure he played the chords on the album’s intro — a warm, string-led start that sets the tone for a soulful, collaborative project.
Less Trouble brings together an impressive lineup of talent. Featured artists include Lordkez, Mars Baby, Moliy, and Young Stunna, while the producer roster boasts names like Brendon-Lee Johnson, Gregory Abrahams, I’m Not Goofy, Master A Flat, Mzizi, NellzKxhris, Roark Bailey, Rudolph Willemse, Shekhinah, and Vuyo.
We celebrate Sandi for representing Botswana on an album stacked with some of Africa’s most exciting voices. Congratulations!
