A YEAR INTO THE JOB

Gabz FM boss-lady shares her experiences of being the first woman to captain a commercial private radio station...
By MOSES MARUPING

It’s an open secret that pregnant women sometimes change moods without warning.
So you can imagine the hesitation and trepidation in me when I go to meet and interview Gabz FM Chief Executive Officer and former Miss Botswana, Joyce Manase-Ntau who is pregnant with her third child.
Being the fearless scribe who has in the past rubbed the country’s top brass the wrong way, I psyched myself up and stepped into the 35-year-old Manase-Ntau’s territory at the Gabz FM studios situated along the Old-Lobatse road.
Although our appointment is scheduled for 10 am I make sure I rock up 30 minutes early so as to etch a long-lasting impression on the vivacious face of Botswana’s first woman to manage a private commercial radio station.
But as fate will have it, it’s month end and the boss of the airwaves is busy preparing staff salaries, something I learnt after her personal assistant made a quick phone call to her office.
However, the wait seems short courtesy of the vibrant and the colourful atmosphere that engulfs the station that prides itself with “playing today’s hits and yesterday’s classics.”
At one point I could feel my toes wriggling inside my shoes to the soothing sound of the background music blasting through the overhead monitors erasing the monotony which is synonymous with most local receptions.
A few minutes pass and in no time I’m ushered into Manase-Ntau’s spacious office who welcomes me with a warm smile that puts me at ease.
She has already carved herself a golden niche despite the fact that she only took over the leadership of Gabz FM last year December from the incumbent Programmes Manager, Kenneth ‘Cutrite’ Moeng.
She takes a quick look at her laptop to see if there’s any email which needs an urgent reply before she could let me in on her journey through the years to become Gabz FM boss.
As we were about to settle into the mission at hand, Manase-Ntau quickly calls the adult contemporary radio station accountant into her office and I excuse myself as the two discuss this month’s staff salaries. It doesn’t take long before I’m called right back into her office where upon she reaches for a cup of coffee and starts pouring in the ingredients to make herself a cup of tea.
“Excuse me, Mr. Maruping for keeping you this long. It’s a hectic day for me as you can see. Let me just grab this cup of tea and we shall be on,” she says with a sassy laugh as I settle comfortably into the leather chair.
There’s no single grain of doubt that hers is a demanding job which requires the strength of an African elephant and the fervor of a honey-making bumble bee.
She considers herself somebody who stumbled upon the media most particularly the airwaves.
Despite this, she says she enjoys the job to the core courtesy of her supportive Gabz FM team, and her aim is to take the radio station to even greater heights.
“This is where I want to be. I’m home. I consider myself more of a business person than a media person. My formula is quite simple. I always tell my team that all we need to offer listeners is intelligent talk balanced with entertainment and excitement hence why at the beginning of the year we reshuffled our line-up,” she says adding that in as much as they are a Botswana-based radio station they are also targeting the global market courtesy of their web-streaming.
“I would have loved to retain the old presenters. However as you may be aware, anything which metamorphoses into something new has to shed the old skin. Right now I can confidently reveal we have the most listened to breakfast show in the country thanks to the calm and smart Jazzelle Kebakile and the unstoppable Thebe Mogapi who on a daily basis enthrall our listenership.
A job like hers obviously comes with challenges and for Manase-Ntau; the greatest of all was the economic melt-down which affected almost every business globally.
“I think as a nation we celebrated the recovery of the economy from the global recession too soon and pinned our hopes on the 2010 soccer world cup where we saw sales picking up and then suddenly taking a slump. This affected a lot of businesses including us,” she says with over-flowing confidence before explaining to me that she is an economist by training.
This affirms her statement and I can tell hers is not a guessing game.
In most instances, women in leadership positions are usually looked down by their male subordinates, something that might as well characterize the environs of Gabz FM whose staff members are predominantly male. However, for Manase-Ntau, the latter is utter nonsense.
“I’m still to experience that really. I relate to them as colleagues and although some call me boss lady I don’t act and behave like one (boss lady) unnecessarily. I have created an environment where any member of staff can approach me with ease. However, I’m fully aware of the fact that women in leadership positions have to speak double more than their male colleagues.”
She’s happy that at Gabz FM, the management team is balanced with two men and two ladies.

Although all is well with Manase-Ntau being the captain of the Gabz FM ship and envisaging to steer it in the right direction, she would one day love to represent Botswana in a bigger global continuum.

“I always dream of taking up a job with organizations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), United Nations in Geneva or simply becoming an ambassador for the country.”
Being a married mother of two and now expecting a third sometime early next year, Manase-Ntau juggles all these vocations with ease.
She explains, “Although this is demanding I have the wonderful support from my husband whom I believe is Heaven sent.”
The couple has been married for nine years now.
Her day usually starts around 0530 with a 30 minute exercise and a bit of reading.
“I will read a few verses from the Bible to get me up and going as well as motivational books. I’m currently reading two books, one called ‘Young Mandela’ and the other one dubbed ‘I gota move my car’.”
She says after all the reading is out of the way she usually prepares both breakfast and lunch packs for the kids and husband. Manase-Ntau is crazy about her Blackberry phone which she says makes her whole life easy.
“On my way to work I’m able to check and play around with my diary for the day. Each and every time an idea springs to my head whilst on the road I record it,” she says before explaining that all her life she only buys phones with a recorder mode.
Quizzed about her favourite dish, Manase-Ntau says she loves prawns although some people call them cockroaches of the sea. We both laugh and get back to the subject of her favourite dishes.
She talks of dikgobe and madombi adding that although she is not much of a kitchen favourite, her two young boys love her cooking.
“I grew up being told I was a bad cook, ha-ha!” she says with a cheeky laugh before adding that she is just an average Motswana who has a farm and at times when she needs to unwind she packs up her bags and goes for a retreat there, a haven that affords her peace and serenity.
She wants to see Gabz FM being the radio of choice especially amongst the 25-year-olds (25+) age group, a group she says has a larger buying power.
The conversation that was supposed to last less than 30-minutes has stretched to over an hour by the time we call it a day. Manase-Ntau is an extraordinary woman-not the unpredictable drama queen I was expecting before the interview. She’s just a loveable lady who loves life.
Her message during the 16 days of activism on violence against women is simple, “this is something which happens to all whether rich, poor, smart, educated etc,” she says adding that this form of violence can either be physical, financial and emotional.
Her advice is for people to do away with the way they were raised where a victim of gender violence is usually classified as being the ‘naughty one’ in the relationship.
“All I can say is that people should break the silence and speak up against this form of violence. There’s more to life than that particular individual.”

Duma FM sacks three staff members over political broadcast

Two radio personalities at one of the local private radio stations have been fired, after the ruling BDP allegedly accused the presenters of supporting a breakaway party, the Botswana Movement for Democracy.
The two Duma Fm journalists, Moses Maruping, Kevin Thipe, and the station's programs manager Gabriel Rasengwatse, have been given letters informing them to serve a 14-day notice. They claim their dismissal is centred around the live discussions they had, involving the break away party last week.

It is said that a prominent BDP activist Macdonald Peloetletse confirmed to MISA-Botswana that he called Duma fm to complain about the pro-BMD debates and the anti-Khama crusade, carried by the station. But the station has denied the allegations that the dismissals were political. MISA Botswana has meanwhile condemned the dismissals.

MISA Botswana chief, Thapelo Ndlovu, says they believe the firing of the three media practitioners was political. He says the media rights group will assist the journalists in whatever possible way.

Meanwhile... BDP activist, MacDonald Peloetletse, has dismissed claims that he accused the dismissed journalists, of supporting a breakaway party.

This comes after MISA Botswana issued an alert yesterday saying Peloetletse had confirmed to the rights group that he had complained about the pro-BMD debates carried by the station.

Peloetletse says he has never spoken to MISA Botswana. He accuses Ndlovu of having a political agenda...

Duma FM dismisses three employees

Three Duma FM radio personalities were given letters informing them to serve a mandatory 14 day notice and that their services would not e required beyond May 31st. he employees who were on probation are Moses Maruping who worked as a News Editor and morning show presenter, and Kevin Thipe the morning show co-presenter. The third practitioner, Gabriel Sengwatsho, the producer of the morning show, was also charged with the same account.

“We have reviewed your performance thus far, and we regret to inform you that we will not be requiring your services beyond the 31st of May 2010’. The Station Manager said in an identical letter to the presenters dated May 13. When asked for comment, Busang said he is not at liberty to discuss staff contractual obligations with MISA Botswana.

In an interview with MISA Botswana, the two presenters said the management had said their dismissal has got nothing to do with non-perfomance, but rather ‘business’. They said the issue centres around the discussions they had with the break away party around the week of World Press Freedom Day.

A prominent ruling party activist Macdonald Peloetletse confirmed in an interview with MISA Botswana that he called DUMA FM to complain about the pro-BMD debates and the anti-Khama (President) crusade carried by the radio station. The Station Manager on the other hand denies this, saying the reason for the dismissal is non-political. The practitioners have taken up the matter with labour authorities.

Source: MISA Botswana

Btv is disappointing - survey

By Gasebalwe Seretse

A recent research conducted by Mmegi has shown that urbanites have had enough of Botswana Television (Btv), which they accuse of lacking innovation and creativity.

Interviews with 50 urban dwellers of varying ages and backgrounds revealed that many people are choosing to desert the national broadcaster over a number of reasons. The survey, which was conducted in both Setswana and English, targeted both males and females of all age groups although most of the respondents were youthful.

"Not meaning to be rude, programming at our TV station really leaves a lot to be desired. The station spends too much time airing repeats rather than current issues.

A lot of money is spent on programmes that do not entertain at all or benefit us anything," quipped Kabo Kebaimetse of Gaborone on Facebook.

A popular middle-aged actress, who did not want to be named for fear of victimisation, challenged the television station to increase local content.

"We need more local programmes. I would rather watch a not-so-well produced local programme than an equally bad international programme," she said. The actress, who has appeared in a number of local productions also challenged the station to commission local producers for more programmes.

Like Kebaimeste, Bernard Bogatsu from Gaborone expressed disappointment with the poor showing of the national television station.

"We are sick and tired of Btv. I think privatisation is the only possible solution," he posted his comment on Facebook.

Well-known journalist Moses Maruping was equally uncompromising saying that the entire television station needs an overhaul. "The majority of people at Btv are talented but the system has diluted their brains. Their work is controlled by remote control from the powers that be," said the outspoken Maruping.

Kelebemang Lenkokame of Francistown however told Mmegi that she did not have any problem with Btv programmes calling them 'okay'. The 44 year-old Lenkokame said that she did not have access to any other station so she would not know what the competition offered.

A 25 year-old female of Gaborone and another 24 year-old male also of Gaborone, who did not want to be named called Btv 'a big joke'. The woman pointed out that Btv would be embarrassed if they compared their programmes with those of South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) in neighbouring South Africa.

Some individuals from urban areas, who took part in the survey revealed that there was nothing that they could say about Btv as they have decided to part ways with the station in favour of more engaging television stations, including pay television channels.

Some of the rural areas dwellers who were mostly interviewed telephonically were more tolerant of the station despite the fact that they felt more could be done to improve the status quo.

Keneilwe Mogale of Bobonong said that while she does not watch much television she likes watching Dikgang (News) and Morwalela on Btv.

"I normally watch the news but I feel that Btv should also cover rural areas as well because all we see is news items from places such as Gaborone and Francistown," she said. The 22 year-old Mogale also called for more entertainment programmes.

Lesego Mpate of Gabane attacked the television station for favouring certain political parties when it came to coverage. "Btv seems to prefer to repeat news items of a certain political party and this most certainly raises eyebrows," she said adding that the station should try to profile some personalities in some entertainment programmes. She also called for programmes such as Melodi ya Kgalaletso and Mokaragana to be broadcast live.On the other hand, Boitshepo Ramathudi said that she is not happy with the news as it lacks content.

Thirty-five year-old Kwena Kgakge who stays in Tlokweng called for live coverage of some programmes saying that some programmes do not make sense when their broadcasting is delayed as they became irrelevant.

DUMA FM ROARS

All is not well at Duma FM As three more bite the dust
By Voice Reporter

Duma FM’s station manager Alfred Busang has refuted allegations that the country’s youngest private owned radio station is under financial and political interference strain.
For the past six months eyebrows have been raised as top personnel left the station. To crown it all, this past week two Morning show presenters and a Programmes manager were served with identical ‘dismissal’ letters.
Barely three months into their probation period at Duma FM, morning presenters Moses Maruping and Kevin Thipe have, together with Programmes Manager Gabriel Rasengwatshe, been served with letters terminating their employment.
Worse still, the trio was head hunted for the jobs at the radio station and promised lucrative benefits as well as two-year contracts by Duma FM Consultant Robin Chivazve.
In an interview with The Voice, the trio spoke of the pain of arriving charged to work on Friday only to be told after their show that it would be their last.
Angry and shocked, the trio told The Voice that the dismissal was unfair especially since management never complained of under-performance. They were issued with the curt dismissal letters last Friday after their show and were not even given the chance to interact with their listeners.
The mandatory 14-day notice given is seen by the aggrieved threesome as a ploy not to pay them their due termination benefits. The notice, which started on May 14, ends in May 28, conveniently depriving the injured employees a full month’s notice pay for June.
In fact, not only have they been dumped by Duma FM but may leave with their May salary only. This is why, they see this as an “unfair dismissal’ which is vindictive and malicious.
“I was head-hunted by Robin because of my radio and electronic media background. He verbally told me I would be given a two-year contract. No probation was mentioned and for the two months at the station, there has never been a single complaint about my performance,” said a shaken Thipe aka Keppie.
Moses ‘Rudeboy Necta’ Marupingechoed his sentiments. “We were told by Robin that the decision for ending our employment was not personal but purely business. How come they don’t have the audacity to tell us what we did wrong?” asks Maruping.
Duma Fm’s former Programmes Manager, Rasengwatshe, smells a rat around their dismissal even though he can’t put his finger on it. But the trio won’t leave any stone unturned to uncover why the radio station has treated them so inhumanely.
They could not confirm that their dismissal was centered around live discussions they had involving the newly formed splinter party, Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) during the week of the World Press Day.
Robin Chivazve, the man at the centre of the controversy, could not be drawn to comment and referred The Voice to station manager, Alfred Busang. He however spoke on the issue of malice, saying, “Being vindictive is one of the words that have been used to describe me before. But I won’t comment on this issue as that is the job of the station manager.”
Duma FM management on Wednesday denied any political involvement and claimed the station did not have any financial problems.
In an interesting twist, the station’s Director Seyed Abolsadzl Jamal denied any knowledge of any dismissals and referred The Voice enquiries to the station manager, Busang
When asked if the station’s ambitious quest to reformat and get a new facelift may have affected their coffers, Busang said the station was self-sustainable. “We are generating sufficient revenue and we are far from bankruptcy. All this political and financial insinuation is just a ploy to create unnecessary hype,” he said.
Busang said the employees were on probation and did not meet the station’s requirements.
“They were not fired, I’d rather say they were not confirmed for their positions. There was nothing political about the whole thing because if there was, we would not have allowed them to host politicians in the last debate and allow callers to air their opinions.
“We are an independent radio station and there is no way we can be intimidated by political influence,” he said.
The latest dismissals follow the mass exodus of some of the country’s best talent from the station since late last year including the likes of Miso Mmereki, Michael ‘Dignash’ Morapedi,Pako Matlhare and Thato Selelo and Thabo Osekeng.
In March this year, Duma FM was before the industrial court and the station was ordered to pay February wages to two former marketing employees who were dismissed on February 24.
Making a ruling on the case, Judge de Villiers ordered Duma FM to pay the aggrieved women, Botho Mazebedi and Tlotlo Ramapatla within two days and further advised the pair to take their case for compensation of loss of employment for arbitration at a later date.

Duma fm gives shows to uninitiated

BY MONKAGEDI GAOTLHOBOGWE

Duma FM announced its much-awaited new line-up for the year with two uninitiated personalities thrown right into the deep end to steer the morning and afternoon drive shows.
They are former Voice news editor and entertainment man, Rude Boy Necta and Cathy Malejane, from Solomon Monyane's Mudhut studios. Steez, a former Botswana Television (Btv) presenter and Duma FM afternoon drive man, has been sidelined.
Steez, has been anchoring the afternoon drive time in the absence of Dignash who quit the station unceremoniously towards the end of last year, although there were rumours the comedian might be back at Duma FM as part of the new look line-up.
However, it remains to be seen whether the two prime time presenters, still wet behind their ears in as far as radio presenting is concerned, would have any effect at Duma. In her afternoon drive show, Malejane will be up againstKgosi and Miss B at Yarona FM, as well as Simba at Gabz FM, and the impeccable DJ Sly at RB2. Rude Boy faces a daunting task to match Tummie Ramsden at Yarona, and Jazelle, Mike Olivier, at Gabz FM.
Beside the announcement of the two novices, Duma FM there were no further surprises though there was talk that RB2's DJ Sly, Yarona FM's Tummie Ramsden, and Dignash would all be the highlights of the new look Duma FM line-up. In a recent interview Alfred Busang, the Duma Station Manager told Showbiz that Dignash could return when they announce their new look line-up.
Announcing the team, Busang said the new format boasts a unique blend of talk and music. " The all new Duma FM programming format has been carefully formulated to allow us to place utmost priority on delivery of good music, and equal precedence on stimulating relevant talk based content...We guarantee that ... no radio station in the country will deliver a better mix of intelligent talk and fantastic music," he said at the Botswana Craft on Friday night at a concert dubbed Di a Duma, meant to launch the new look Duma FM programming.

A MONTH INTO THE JOB

By MODIRI MOGENDE

Wednesday, 14 April 2010

In March, deputy editor of The Voice newspaper and entertainment commentator, Moses Maruping, who is best known as ‘Rude Boy Necta’ quit the newsroom amid much fanfare only to resurface live on air as the new co-host of Duma FM’s breakfast show, The Crossover.
A month into his new job we caught up with him to get a précis of how the airwaves have been treating him after 10 plus years of cutting his teeth in print. “I’ve noticed that there is a pretty thin line between radio and print, just that radio has a bit more pressure due to the live element which obviously forces one to be on their toes all the time.” said Moruping.
On his departure from an industry he had seemingly conquered, Rude Boy said that in his view the time had come for him both personally and career-wise to move on after he was approached by the station to put on dual caps as a News Editor and a host.
“The Crossover is an ambitious breakfast show with a lively feel, a lot of sports and news.” Rude Boy said of his breakfast show, which he co-hosts with former Yarona Fm presenter Kevin Thipe, also known as Keppie. He says their main objective is to feature new material and in some way revolutionise breakfast as a male duo.
Though the show is relatively new they have garnered some much needed loyal listeners even though the station has gotten some unpleasant publicity due to their newly installed rebrand and departure of some of their key presenters.
Rude Boy’s cut edge journalism in entertainment nearly became his own Achilles heel as it created excessive hype about his arrival on the air. As he lays testament, a lot of the listeners expected him to have the same vigour in his voice, some later accused him of having a soft approach to issues that they discuss on air.
“Well, it did put me under pressure but just like everything new one has to crawl before they walk, in a short space of time I will have gained a lot of confidence and I promise people will be blown away,” Rude Boy asserted.
Maruping says he looks forward to taking on his competitors from other radio stations and sent them a firm warning: “Those who have been in radio for a long time had better watch out.”

CHURCH RELEASES CD IN HONOUR OF PERISHED TRIO

It’s been a year since church members belonging to the St. John’s Apostolic Faith Mission church in Metsimotlhabe reeled in shock after three of their church elders died tragically.
The three church elders – Reverend Leonard Barakanye, Noko Letsweletse and Maila Moilwa - drowned in the Gaborone Dam during a baptismal service on November 29, 2009.
The 60-year-old Barakanye was the pastor who opened the Metsimotlhabe branch in 2000. He had moved to Metsimotlhabe from Orapa while Moilwa and Letsweletse, who were deacons, hailed from Seleka and Shoshong respectively.
At the time of their death the trio was described by colleagues as devout Christians.
A year down the line, the trio’s memories continue to linger among the devout church members who will on Saturday hold a memorial service in honour of the perished trio.
According to Lorato Barakanye, who is the daughter to the perished founding pastor; they as the church choir looked at various ways of how they could extend the legacy of those who died tragically during last year’s baptismal service.
“It was after a few meetings that the church resolved that the best way to honour my father and the two other deceased was through a musical offering as they both loved church hymns,” she says showing me an 11-track musical CD dubbed “Tribute.”
The 30-year-old mother of one says the album is a collective effort of the St. John’s Apostolic Faith Mission church choir adding that the money raised from the album sales will be channeled towards finishing the existing ‘house of worship’ structure as well as building a swimming pool for the church.
Quizzed about the swimming pool, Lorato noted that it is high time spiritual churches desist from carrying out baptismal services at unsafe rivers and dams noting that a swimming pool within the church is the safest.
“Mind you, this was not the first time church members drowned during a baptismal session. There have been similar incidents in the past in places like Thamaga. What we’re doing is simply taking heed of government officials’ that churches should build swimming pools for baptizing purposes.”
She says, as a church choir from now on they will accept invitations from other churches who are raising funds through concerts.
“All this is not new to us. We have done concerts in the past to help raise funds for the blind. Those wanting to join us for this weekend’s memorial service are welcome,” she says with sorrow written all over her face.

A FEW MINUTES WITH NOZIE-THE GO-GETTER

She is young and has accomplished what most can only dream about.
Nozie McVey was a chief executive officer at 18 where she ran her own travel and tourism company dubbed Youth Travel Tours (YTT).

After a solid six years in the trade she closed shop and ventured into yet another virgin territory where she started a business called Nozie Entertainment, an establishment which managed some of the country’s most accomplished artists.

Ten years down the line, word recently got to me that the petite 28-year-old has established Nozie Chic; a jewellery making enterprise based in the leafy surburb of Phakalane.

Being a typical newshound always wanting to break the news to the dynamic masses, I make a few calls around the city and bingo; I’m already connected to the hard-working young lady with the octopus’ hands.

Our meeting takes places at the ever-busy Café Portugal in Game City mall where the hustle and bustle of people going past the restaurant punctuates our chat.

In between calculated sips of our ice-cold sodas, Nozie takes me on an interesting trip down the ten years memory lane; an era when she braved all odds to become one of the country’s youngest entrepreneurs.

“I have always wanted to be self-employed. The idea of making my own money motivated me. I also wanted to be independent. However, at that time there were not many young people running their own businesses and many people told me I was mad,” she says.

There are signs of despair in her eyes as she tells the sad story that is common to many young people in Botswana.

She never got any funding for her business venture.

“I know what it’s like to have a door shut on your face. When I was running YTT, I had many challenges and after six years in the business I called it quits. I needed to try something new…and I had a few people who mentored me…always telling me to keep my head above the water,” she says.

Whilst trying to find the right footing an opportunity presented itself through a trip to the United States of America (USA) courtesy of the US Embassy.

This is where Nozie met her husband and the two were officially married on the beach in San Francisco.

“I was over the moon with joy. Being married on the beach has always been my dream and it did come true,” she says with a glint in her eye.

Next year February the couple celebrates three years of holy matrimony.

Lest we get carried away with the emotional marriage roller-coaster, I change the topic fast.

Back to her latest business venture.

After the YTT dream fell apart, she launched her own artists management company; Nozie Entertainment where she took care of seasoned crooners such as Kgotla and Skazzo.

Wanting a bigger challenge, Nozie then swayed the company into a different direction and she now supplies Botswana Television (BTV) with international programming.

She interrupts me just as I’m about to ask her to expand on this subject.

“This is a company which continues to grow thanks to the generous support of my husband. It is the one which made it easy for me to set up my latest jewellery business.”

Nozie says a lot of people misunderstand her, but adds that she cannot please everyone.

“I regret those years that I worked hard trying to please everyone in life. I no longer do that. It’s either you accept me the way I am or not.”
She goes for her bag and out comes three exquisite designs in the form of two hand-crafted necklaces and a pair of earrings.
“This is what keeps me sane nowadays. Mind you, I have always wanted to be in the fashion industry and when an opportunity presented itself in the form of a TV advertisement promoting jewellery beading I jumped at it,” she says with a chuckle in her smile.
“I bought the beading kit and did a few practices at home. After a few weeks I searched the internet and I came across a three-day jewellery beading course in South Africa which I wasted no time and attended.”
Right now, she is a happy woman as her pieces are already causing a roaring wave in most curio shops in Maun.
Another plus for her is the fact that all this hard work is made possible by her supportive husband who continues to dig further into his pocket for the venture to gain momentum.
Quizzed about her prices, Nozie says the pieces retail from as little as P400-P1000.
“My pieces include bracelets, necklaces, earrings and rings. However rings are only made through orders so that it varies from person to person. The rings are more personalized,” she says stretching out her left hand for me to admire the one wrapped around her finger.
Nozie says she draws inspiration from Mother Nature and at times a simple walk in the garden offers her an idea for a splendid product. Her products are hand-made, natural and can only be found in Botswana.
Nozie says so far the future does look bright as she already has orders until March next year mostly from the shops in the delta.
“While many people will be resting this festive season I’ll be working my butt off to meet my customers’ demands.”
However all is not glory due to a few challenges she comes across in her business.
The number one challenge Nozie explains is the sourcing of silver; her number one material in her jewellery pieces, from South Africa. She says normally it takes about a week for her orders to arrive.
Although most of her time is devoted towards giving the Botswana fashion industry something to shine about, Nozie also finds time to work with award-winning Hip-Hop artist; Zeus to launch the gifted musician’s clothing range dubbed ‘The Zeus Exclusive Collection.’
“The clothing line will certainly have a little bit of Zeus personality in it. We envisage launching it during the first quarter of 2011. Please look out for it and support yet another ‘Made in Botswana’ product,” she says.
Quizzed about where she sees herself in the next five years, the petite beauty says her life is unpredictable.
“Had you told me where I will be right now a few years ago, I would have told you are mad. I’m one person who likes to break the rules and I always like to think out of the box. Simply put; I like to be different.”
On the lessons learnt over the past ten years, Nozie explains that although it’s been a bumpy ride, she has learnt to be creative and to create her own opportunities against all odds.
“At one point I lost my confidence but right now I can confidently reveal I have managed to regain all of it. Let me advice aspiring entrepreneurs that you shouldn’t always take people’s advice but learn to listen to your intuition as well. Never listen to anyone saying your dreams are impossible but rather work hard at fulfilling them,” she says with a wide smile revealing a row of sparkling white teeth.

Miss Botswana vows to bring the crown home

20-year-old Miss Botswana 2010, Emma Wareus has called on Batswana to support her as she embarks on preparations to compete at the coveted Miss World 2010 pageant scheduled to take place at Crown of Beauty Theatre in Sanya, China on October 30.
The prestigious pageant was moved to China after Vietnam backed out of the hosting contract due to sponsor problems and lack of government support.
In an exclusive interview this week, Wareus who was the first runner up of Miss Botswana 2009 said she is “ecstatic and looking forward to competing in the high-status pageant.”
She said one of the requirements of competing at Miss World is that a contestant should identify a project that benefits her community adding that hers is helping children affected by the floods in the Okavango region.
“This project should be completed before I leave for the pageant and I urge people to let me in their doors whenever I knock asking for financial support. I want children affected by these floods to have access to basic learning environment,” said Wareus adding that without a project there will be no Miss World as contestants are judged based on the projects they have undertaken within their respective communities.
She urged local companies to support her in any way they can, saying for her to represent the country and bring the crown home she needs to look, “picture perfect” and urged everyone to rally behind her.
Quizzed about how she keeps fit, Wareus said she goes to the gym everyday and eats healthy.
“I avoid fattening food at all costs and I’m happy that the pageant is taking place in China as I love their food. Chinese food is ever healthy,” said Wareus with a cheeky laugh.
Although Wareus faces a daunting task as she will be competing with 122 other contestants from across the globe, the beauty queen remained confident that she will bring the crown home.
Together with representatives from Botswana Council of Women (BCW), Wareus will leave for Beijing at the end of September.
Last year the pageant was won by Kaiane Aldorino of Gibraltar who will this year crown her successor and it remains to be seen if that beauty queen will be our alluring Wareus.

JUJUBOY TO PERFORM ON BIG BROTHER ALL STARS!

Botswana born rapper Jujuboy burst onto the charts in 2008 with a song called Cheri e sharpo so, a humorous take on the kwaito genre.
He is currently promoting his debut album OneManRockBand, which features the hit song Hurt Me.
Jujuboy has thrilled crowds with his unique sense of style and this Sunday (August 15 at 19.00 CAT) Jujuboy will take to the stage and share his talent with the continent as he performs 2 of his hit songs, Emotional and Juju Monster. “I’m excited about performing on the Big Brother Africa show as it will certainly give me an opportunity to showcase the various music genres Botswana has,” said Jujuboy on receiving his invitation to perform at M-Net’s biggest reality show.
M-Net’s Big Brother All Stars is a 91 day reality series screened live 24/7 on DStv channel 198 in which 14 contestants from 14 countries (Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe) compete for the massive USD 200 000 ‘winner takes all’ grand prize! The series currently includes Motswana Kaone as one of the 14 participating contestants.