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Unleashing Botswana’s Very Best: MultiChoice Botswana Unveils Bots Top 5, an Explosive Musical Journey on Channel O!

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25 May 2023. Gaborone, Botswana. High atop Gaborone’s Skyview Terrace, a breathtaking vantage point that commands the iconic view of Botswana’s capital city, MultiChoice Botswana orchestrated a dazzling gathering of the country’s creative elite to unveil the latest marvel from Channel O: Bots Top 5, a music video countdown show destined to ignite passion and captivate audiences far and wide.

Premiering on DStv’s pan-African music channel, Channel O (DStv Channel 320) on the 24th of May at 22:00, Bots Top 5 promises an immersive experience hosted by the charismatic and knowledgeable TV and radio personality, Mduduzi ‘Mdu tha Party’ Madzwamuse. With his irresistible charm, Mdu will guide viewers through each episode, unveiling captivating music videos from Botswana’s very own musical luminaries and treating us to exclusive artist interviews. But that’s not all – Mdu will also whisk us away to Botswana’s vibrant hotspots, granting us an authentic glimpse into the thriving local creative industry, arts, and culture.

Presiding over this star-studded evening was the distinguished Goitsemang Morekisi, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry for State President, who delivered a resounding keynote address. In his speech, she touched upon the deliberate efforts of the Government of Botswana to forge partnerships with the private sector in support of the creative industry, while vowing to revitalize an industry battered by the formidable storms of the COVID-19 pandemic. Morekisi remarked with fervor, “I know that what will come out of the launch of Bots Top 5 on Channel O, from a policy perspective, is what we want to see: the young people of this country reaching out to the rest of the world.”

The visionary behind Bots Top 5 and numerous other groundbreaking programs on Channel O and Mzansi Music channels, David Molotlhanyi, the Music Programming Manager for Local Music Channels (M-Net), shared his profound appreciation for the involvement of a local production company. “The most important thing to us was that a local production company was behind Bots Top 5; 100% locally owned,” he emphasized. Molotlhanyi expressed his confidence in Botswana’s exceptional capabilities to undertake such a monumental project, affirming, “It would’ve been very easy for us to send a crew from South Africa to do this production if we were worried about quality and management, but from what we’ve seen already, Botswana’s very much capable of working on a project of this magnitude.”

With Channel O accessible across the DStv platform in 50 African countries, Bots Top 5 promises immeasurable exposure for both the gifted artists and the visionary production teams behind their awe-inspiring music and music videos. Joe Heshu, Regional Director of MultiChoice Africa Holdings Southern Region, expressed his gratitude and admiration for the creative minds shaping the industry, asserting, “The truth is, it is not the platform that makes the content creators; it’s the content creators that make the platform. What we are showing on television is your stories, your sweat and your tears, and it’s important for us to acknowledge you. We recognize the contribution of Botswana talent and the role it plays in our business.”

The event was a magnificent showcase of the highest caliber of local music, graced by the electrifying performances of the impeccable Dato Seiko and one of hip-hop’s preeminent MCs, Veezo View. A convergence of musical brilliance occurred as Botswana’s brightest stars united in celebration of this monumental achievement for local artists.

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Channel O eagerly invites submissions of local music videos for Bots Top 5, and beyond. Musicians are encouraged to email music@multichoice.co.za

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From Botswana to Paris — Marang Selolwane Walks the MAXHOSA Runway

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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.

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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.

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Mophato Dance Theatre: Botswana’s Champions of Craft and Spirit

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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.

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Sandi Features on Shekhinah’s Surprise Album Less Trouble

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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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