News
The YAMAs Nine: Spotlighting Botswana’s Artists, Stories, and Sound
The 9th edition of the Yarona FM Music Awards (YAMAs) unfolded with a different rhythm this year—more intimate, more focused, and more reflective of where Botswana’s music industry stands today. While the change in scale sparked mixed reactions among fans, the awards themselves continued to deliver what matters most: recognition of talent, hard work, and cultural influence.
Less Flash, More Focus
This year’s ceremony departed from the red-carpet glamour and live performances of past editions. Instead, it created space for industry conversations and community acknowledgment. For some, the stripped-down format was refreshing—a sign of maturity. For others, it felt like something was missing.
“I expected a show. This felt like a press event,” one fan shared online.
“But credit to them—it felt focused and intentional,” added another.
This divide highlights an important tension: audiences want deeper conversations—but they also want to celebrate.
A Year of Breakthroughs and Bold Statements
The awards saw a strong mix of emerging voices and established names take home top honours.
- Juu Matere led the winners’ circle with multiple accolades for “O Tshameke”, which won Best Male Single, Best Botswana Pop, and People’s Choice Song of the Year.
- Jackalass Onetym, a rising star with a distinct voice, was awarded Best Newcomer and Best Hip Hop for “Tshipi”.
- Dato Seiko’s heartfelt single “The Vow” secured Best Female Single, affirming her place among Botswana’s finest vocalists.
Other key wins included:
- DJ Latty ft. Dalom Kids, Thato Tladi & Way Kay – Best Amapiano (“Dithuthuntshwane”)
- ATI ft. Caliba & Seneath – Best Dance Single (“Kwashioka”)
- Licky ft. Katlego Ramphaleng – Best R&B Single (“Pressure”)
- Baxon & Juu Matere – Best Collabo (“Chobolo”)
- The Choreographers – Best Social Media
- DJ Quest – Best DJ
Honouring Legacy and Leadership
This year’s YAMAs also took time to honour those behind the scenes:
- Fella was named Producer of the Year, a nod to his impact on some of the year’s most defining records.
- Zenzele Hirschfeld received the Hall of Fame recognition, marking her contributions to artist development and the business of music.
- The Icon Award went to Brando, whose influence stretches beyond airplay into mentorship, media, and movement-building.
What the YAMAs Got Right—and What’s Still Possible
The 2025 YAMAs proved, once again, that Botswana’s music scene is talented, proud, and moving forward. The awards did justice in celebrating hard-working artists, highlighting new voices, and opening up space for meaningful conversation.
But the biggest missed opportunity? Not giving the fans the moment they wait for all year. The YAMAs aren’t just industry awards—they are a cultural event tied to the identity of Yarona FM, a brand that listeners love because it understands youth, sound, and celebration. The scaled-back experience left many craving more—more performance, more spectacle, more energy.
In a time when local artists are pushing boundaries and fans are showing up louder than ever, the YAMAs must continue to evolve. But in doing so, it can’t forget the power of the show itself—the excitement, the lights, the live moments that stick long after the awards are handed out.
Next year marks a decade of the YAMAs. The stage is set—not just for another ceremony, but for a comeback. One that honours both the music and the movement around it.
Let’s hope the 10th gives us all of it.
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!
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