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Race for the Okavango WINNER of Jackson Wild Original Music Score, The producers of Nkashi
Jackson, WY, September 29, 2023 — The National Geographic Society was recognized with two Jackson Wild Media Awards yesterday during the Jackson Wild Summit in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. The Society’s film Nkashi: Race for the Okavango won for “Original Music Score” and National Geographic Explorer Ciril Jazbec won “Short Form – Climate Categories” for his Society-funded film Dream to Cure Water. The Jackson Wild Media Awards are some of the most prestigious in the world of nature filmmaking, and were launched to celebrate excellence and innovation in nature, science and conservation storytelling.
The producers of Nkashi: Race for the Okavango met Koolkat Motyiko for the first time at Seronga at Winela boat Station. It was a day after the 2022 Nkashi Classic. He gave them his Seronga 1 CD featuring hits Ko Seronga and Willie Makhandane. And that’s how Koolkat aka ‘Mr Seronga’ started to work on the film score. He produced six tracks together with Mike Rosen. They were later joined by NEWF Compose Yourself Lab fellows from around Africa (including Marcia Buwa in the picture) to do additional two tracks for the film.
Over 450 films entered the competition this year with over 1,100 category entries from 74 different countries around the world. Finalists were selected by more than 200 international judges who together screened over 1,000 hours of media. The Society was a finalist in two other categories: Healy for “Natural Science – Short Form” and Nkashi: Race for the Okavango for “Global Voices.”
“At the National Geographic Society, we believe in the power of stories and storytelling across the globe,” said Kaitlin Yarnall, the Society’s chief storytelling officer. “This is evident in the grants we give and the projects we produce ourselves, and we’re incredibly proud to be recognized for this work by Jackson Wild.”
Nkashi: Race for the Okavango was filmed in Botswana, in the Setswana language, and in close collaboration with a team of Batswana filmmakers. The film score features six tracks by Motswana musician Thato Kavinja (who goes by the stage name Koolkat Motyiko, also known as Mr. Seronga) and two tracks from the Nature Environment & Wildlife Filmmakers (NEWF) Composers Lab, which is part of the Society’s Africa Refocused program. The film was created by the Society’s Impact Story Lab — an award-winning creative unit within the organization — and directed by Sarah Joseph. Joseph serves as a producer, along with Dustin Sylvia and National Geographic Explorer Thalefang Charles. Yarnall, Vanessa Serrao and National Geographic Explorer Steve Boyes serve as executive producers.
“Having grown up in the Delta, I relate with Nkashi: Race for the Okavango on many levels — after all, it’s about my home, Seronga, and our Wayei heritage,” said Kavinja. “In many ways, my music is about returning to one’s roots, and I treasured the opportunity to make music for Nkashi for that very reason. When we tell a Botswana story, it’s even more powerful when it’s set to our home-grown music and instruments that carry the sounds, emotions and melodies of the Delta. I’m grateful to Jackson Wild for recognizing our work in this category, and to my fellow NEWF Composers who joined me in bringing this story to life.”
Nkashi: Race for the Okavango shows the triumphs and challenges of three mokoro (dugout canoe) polers, celebrates Botswana’s cultural heritage, and illuminates the importance of the Okavango Delta — one of the most unique wetlands in the world. The team curated a musical score that engages local musicians and embodies the sounds, rhythms, instruments, and expressions of the Okavango Delta. Kavinja licensed his breakout hit “Ko Seronga” — which is credited with inspiring travel to the Delta — and composed and recorded six additional tracks for the film with his producing partner, Mikael Rosen. Later in the filmmaking process, the team brought a pan-African dimension to the soundtrack by engaging NEWF’s Composers Lab, including musicians from Botswana, South Africa, Kenya, Mozambique, Morocco, Nigeria and France for a multi-day, immersive experience in the Delta. The fellows each brought an instrument from their respective country to show the unique music of different African countries. The film and annual Nkashi Classic race are made possible through the Okavango Eternal partnership between National Geographic and De Beers.
Bangu and Scar have announced their latest album, “Tonki le Kwena,” promising a game-changing musical experience. With their unique styles and prowess, backed by ButiOnTheTrack’s expert production, this project is primed to let fans in on what the artists have in their bag in 2024.
Featuring collaborations with Ban-T and Licky, “Tonki le Kwena” drops this April, Bangu and Scar, two respected eMCees in their own right, revealed that their collaborative masterpiece is finally primed and ready to hit the airwaves. But what makes “Tonki le Kwena” stand out from the crowd? It waits to be seen, and you’ll be in among the first to sample it when it drops
On the 7th of March 2024, the Main Deck Main Mall in Botswana became the epicenter of creative energy and strategic vision as Zeus, the multifaceted artist and filmmaker, unveiled his highly anticipated album ‘War and Peace: Disc 1 War’ alongside a compelling showcase of his Film and TV Production work. The event, meticulously curated to blend entertainment with enlightenment, drew a diverse crowd comprising promoters, high-profile musicians, agencies, the general public, and esteemed members of the media.
As the evening unfolded, attendees were treated to a dynamic array of experiences, each designed to captivate, inspire, and foster meaningful connections. Kicking off with a Welcome Reception, guests were invited to register and partake in welcome drinks, setting the stage for an evening of immersive exploration.
The event host’s Opening Remarks not only introduced the agenda but also set the tone for the night’s festivities. Amidst an atmosphere charged with anticipation, Zeus took center stage to perform a selection of songs from his new album, showcasing his unparalleled talent and electrifying the audience with his magnetic presence.
A noteworthy addition to the program was a brief speaking moment by partner BW Jobs For Graduates, shedding light on how creative businesses can leverage skills capital. This insightful perspective added depth to the discussions, emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between creativity and economic empowerment.
The evening continued with a Live DJ Mix featuring tracks from Zeus’s new album, providing guests with an immersive musical experience that underscored the album’s thematic resonance. Meanwhile, the showcase of Zeus’s Film and TV Production work offered a glimpse into his artistic vision, complemented by a Q&A session that invited dialogue and reflection on the creative process.
A poignant highlight of the event was the presentation of the ‘Climate Change in Botswana’ Docuseries, which not only raised awareness about pressing environmental issues but also underscored the power of storytelling to inspire action and drive positive change. With stakeholders sharing their perspectives and the audience engaging in thoughtful discourse, the docuseries presentation left a lasting impression on all who witnessed it.
Throughout the evening, networking zones buzzed with animated conversations as attendees exchanged ideas, forged connections, and explored potential collaborations. From media representatives capturing key moments to high-profile musicians lending their support, the diverse attendee mix enriched the experience and underscored the event’s significance within the creative community.
As the event drew to a close, Closing Remarks expressed gratitude to guests and partners, while also extending an invitation to continue networking and exploring opportunities for collaboration. With Zeus’s performance echoing in their minds and a newfound sense of inspiration in their hearts, attendees departed with a renewed appreciation for the power of creativity to shape narratives, spark dialogue, and drive meaningful change.
In retrospect, Zeus’s ‘War and Peace: Disc 1 War’ 2024 Strategy Rollout Launch Mixer was more than just an album launch; it was a celebration of artistic excellence, a platform for thought leadership, and a testament to the transformative power of creative expression.
The collaborative effort between the Music In Africa Foundation (MIAF) and Goethe-Institut has culminated in the release of a compelling documentary titled “Sound Connects Us.” This documentary sheds light on a multitude of cultural endeavors undertaken across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, made possible through the backing of the Sound Connects Fund (SCF).
Spanning a duration of 40 months, the SCF provided support to 36 organizations throughout Southern Africa, facilitating the successful execution of developmental cultural projects in nations such as Angola, Botswana, eSwatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Central to the fund’s ethos was the universal allure of ‘sound’ as a guiding principle.
Eddie Hatitye, Executive Director of MIAF, expressed the profound impact of the SCF, noting its role in propelling the foundation into various artistic domains, including film, visual arts, gaming, and animation. He lauded the remarkable achievements witnessed across the SADC region, encapsulated within the documentary’s compelling narrative.
The documentary serves as a testament to the invaluable contributions of the SCF in fortifying the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) in Southern Africa. Through immersive visuals, viewers are transported across the region, encountering cultural initiatives in Angola, eSwatini, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, complemented by insights from SCF implementers based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
A crew filming an indigenous community in Botswana through a project funded by the Sound Connects Fund. Photo: Quihaba FX
Commencing in Maputo, Mozambique, where the Sound Connects Conference took place, the documentary offers a glimpse into the motivations and aspirations driving these transformative projects. It not only showcases the final outcomes but also highlights the change-makers who propelled these initiatives forward across the region.
Carolin Christgau, Head of Culture and Development at Goethe-Institut Johannesburg, reflected on the profound journey undertaken through the Sound Connects Fund, emphasizing the newfound insights into the creative landscapes of the SADC region. The documentary, she hopes, will illuminate the diversity and creativity experienced throughout this endeavor, inspiring further engagement from both individuals and governments to bolster the potential of the CCIs.
Between 2020 and 2024, the MIAF and Goethe-Institut spearheaded the implementation of the Sound Connects Fund, a monumental initiative aimed at enhancing the cultural and creative sectors in Southern Africa. This documentary offers a glimpse into the initiative’s impact across nine countries, supported by the ACP-EU Culture Programme, under the auspices of the Organisation of the African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS).
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