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.

THE BOTSWANA PRISON BOSS

On a mission to make good of the bad

It was not a smooth walk in for Colonel Silas Motlalekgosi when he took over as Commissioner of Prisons from Herman Kau, last year.
The second member of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) to head Prisons after the retired Brigadier Justice Sebolao, who served as Commissioner of Prisons from 1996-1998, all Motlalekgosi demands is to be given a chance to prove his worth. MOSES MARUPING chats him up.

Why does Botswana Prisons Service exist?
The Botswana Prisons Service exists to protect the society by actively encouraging and assisting offenders to become law abiding citizens through empowerment of staff and abiding by the disciplinary code of conduct. We will exercise reasonable, safe, secure and humane control of offenders in order to achieve National Security, Peace, Tranquility and Economic Growth. The objectives of the Service are to provide safe custodial care to prisoners; to provide effective rehabilitation programmes to prisoners as well as to provide efficient administration of prisons and resources.

To what extent does adult literacy education offered in Botswana prisons prepare its recipients for life after completion of their prison term?
Prisoners are offered training in various trade skills to make them competitive in the labour market after release from prison in an effort to reduce the incidence of crime and re-offending.
Rehabilitation of prisoners involves helping them to identify their weaknesses, which led them to prison to be able to avoid them in future and also learn to build on their strong points in order to face life with confidence and positive determination after release from prison. Very soon I want to start an initiative in which prisoners will be enrolled to pursue training in partnership with the public sector, business community and individuals. I will then approach companies to offer attachment services for these prisoners whilst serving extra-mural labour.

Are there any success stories that demonstrate that indeed ex-prisoners have used the education to make a living?
Yes, indeed. We have a classic example of a former prisoner who is running his own tyre services workshop in Serowe. This gentleman exhibited his products during a Labour Fair held last month. We also have church ministers, pastors and counselors. All these individuals are graduates of our prison education system. I want to implore society to stop shunning prisoners. They are an integral part of our society and it’s everybody’s responsibility.

How will your military background contribute to the efficient running of the country’s Prison Services?
I’m of the view that wars can’t be won by machines alone but by man and combination of machines. I do believe effective communication and flexibility in an organization can work wonders for everybody. Both my academic and professional background will convince you. I graduated from Lacrosse University in Louisiana, USA with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Administration in 2002. I also completed Executive Project Management from the University of Botswana in 2008 as well as a Certificate in Principles of Management from Cameron University in Oklahoma, USA.
Mind you, I joined the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) in 1987 as an Officer Cadet (trainee) and I was appointed to take charge of various responsibilities in the army’s Artillery, some of which include Commanding Officer for Field Regiment in 2004 and Commander 11 Artillery Brigade in 2007. My military training include Senior Army Command Course (Sacc) from Nanjing Army Command College in China from 2005-2006, Training, Planning, Management and Development course (TPMD), which was conducted in Botswana through United States government for African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) in 2007. My military training on Command level is qualified by attending the US-Army Command and General Staff Course (USCGSC) in Ft Leavenworth Kansas, USA.
Some of my achievements include coordinating BDF and African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) and Peace Support Operations (PSO) initiatives. I was Liaison Officer for BDF Second United Nations Operations in Somalia of which I was awarded the United Nations Peace Keeping Medal (UNISOM), following my return from peacekeeping mission in Somalia in 2004. President Ian Khama also bestowed me with the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) for my devotion and dedication in the service.


Do you feel that you are the right man for the job?

I strongly believe so and all I can say is that time will tell. I really want to leave behind a good legacy. I strongly believe in self-discipline.

Could you tell us what you consider as priority areas of your reform programme in the Prison Services?
If you recall I was appointed Commissioner of Prisons on a 2-3 years secondment term effective from 6 October 2008. My aim is to re-strategize and restructure several initiatives within the prison service. This will be achieved through improving conditions of service and turning the tables around. By this I mean, improving prison security, infrastructure and training as well as conditions of service.

How are you going to resolve vocal discontentment expressed in some circles including Parliamentarians about being a personnel from the military heading the Prison Services?
I didn’t decide to be here. All I know is that I was brought here because the powers that be felt that I was capable. I would not want to entertain negative views from detractors who continue to label us as President Khama’s babies (favourites) by discriminating against former army officers. We in the disciplined forces believe that the mission comes first and everything and everybody is subordinate to the mission. My military background will come in handy in executing my duties proficiently. We’re all Batswana and we’re here to serve.

What is the desired staff/prisoner ratio?
Internationally, the acceptable ratio is 1-4 or 1-6 officers per prisoners. However, here at home we’re still struggling as you find that we’re currently sitting at 1-25, which is way beyond these figures.

How could you improve this ratio?
This can only be achieved by improving the whole package by way of restructuring and improving conditions of service. In short, we need to re-strategize, reshape and remodel. We also need highly qualified professionals.

Do you feel the staff recruitment procedures for prison officers come up with personnel capable of dealing with prisoners?
To some extend yes. However, we need to improve our recruitment and screening of prospective employees to effectively deal with prisoners.

What strategies would you bring on board to maintain the prison population at manageable levels?
This is something that the Attorney General’s Chambers and other relevant stakeholders are looking at, alternative sentencing. People who are found guilty on certain minor offences should not be necessarily sent to jail.

Do you know how many years the longest serving prisoner/s have done?
Yes, we do. The prisoner has been in prison for the past 28 years.

Should prisoners be given condoms to prevent HIV/AIDS and other communicable disease transmissions?
These are policy issues. What I do know is that sodomy is a criminal offence in and out of prison.

What do you like about Botswana?
The peace and tranquility that prevails.

What do you hate?
Negative and uninformed criticism.

What is your favourite past time?
I’m a dedicated sports fanatic. I used to play football but these days I spend most of my spare time at my farm.

Do you have any last words?
I would like to pay respect and gratitude to all the officers who continue to make a difference in the prisons service including past commissioners who despite all the hardships stood the test of time. Despite the challenges my officers continue to do a good job. They do more with less.

PERSONAL PROFILE

FULL NAMES: Silas Motlalekgosi
D.O.B: Sometime in 1965
P.O.B: Molepolole
HOME VILLAGE: Molepolole
HOBBIES: Mostly sports and farming.
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS: Bsc Degree in Public Administration, and Certificate in Principles of Management
CAR DRIVING: I don’t have a car and I’m not into cars. I hire when the need arises.
DREAM CAR: None
MARITAL STATUS: Married to Malebogo Motlalekgosi and we have three beautiful kids
CURRENTLY READING: The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy, 25 Ways to Win with People by John Maxwell and the Holy Bible.
FAV MOVIE: Boyz in the Hood
FAV ACTOR/ACTRESS: Denzel Washington and Haille Berry
ROLE MODEL: My mother, Mmabatshidi Motlalekgosi

IN HIS OWN WRITE WITH RUDEBOY NECTA

DOMINIC MOTOLOKI A.K.A COMING SOON


CHOREOGRAPHER

IN THREE WORDS, I AM...

Creative, sociable and loving.

IF I’M FRIGHTENED OF ANYTHING IN LIFE, IT’S...

Thieves and diseases.

IF I COULD TRAVEL BACK IN TIME I’D SET THE DIALS FOR...

My days in Zambia (1999) as a struggling performer.

MY FAVOURITE PERSON IN THE UNIVERSE IS...

My mum, Josephine Motoloki.

MY LEAST FAVOURITE PERSON IN THE UNIVERSE IS...

The Devil-Satan, but generally I love everybody.

THE LAST TIME I LOOKED IN THE MIRROR I THOUGHT...

One day I’m going to be very successful.

IF I HAD TO LEAVE A BODY PART TO SCIENCE, IT WOULD BE...

My limbs-they’re the reason I survive.

MY DEFINITION OF LOVE IS...

A warm affection one feels towards those s/he cares about.

THE LAST TIME I VOMITED, IT WAS BECAUSE OF...

Drinking Black Label beer on an empty stomach.

THE GREATEST LESSON LIFE HAS TAUGHT ME IS...

Never ever give up.

IF I KNEW THE WORLD WAS ENDING TOMORROW, THEN TODAY I’D...

Prepare myself for my final destination to the Pearly Gates of Heaven.

THE SONG I WANT PLAYED AT MY FUNERAL IS...

Any Gospel hymn that will cheer up the bereaved.

I WANT MY TOMBSTONE TO READ...

Here lies Coming Soon, the greatest dancer of our times. Rest in Peace Mr. Motoloki.


IN PURELY MONETARY TERMS, I AM WORTH ROUGHLY...

A lot of zeros. Let me just say I’m expensive.

NEED-TO-KNOW

1). Botswana’s number one dancer, Coming Soon, whose choreography moves are the envy of many in the local music circles was born Dominic Motoloki in Chirilabongwe , Zambia on April 4, 1982.
Coming Soon as he’s popularly known by legion of music fans locally said the village where he was born is situated on the border of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia.
 He explained that although he grew up in Zambia where his Zairian mother was married, he has also spent most of his teenage years in DRC. 
“However, my mother’s marriage didn’t last long as the two divorced and we all went back to DRC.” 

The talented dancer who continues to put a sizzle in Vee’s shows courtesy of his acrobatic dance moves revealed that he took interest in performing arts from an early age.
 “I started way back in 1999 with a Zambian Kwasa-Kwasa group called Green Labels. It was an army band and I doubled as a dancer and rapper. Life was tough then and I didn’t stay long in the group.”
 


2). Coming Soon said during the year 2000, he joined yet another Kwasa-Kwasa group of Maureen Bongola. 
‘Things were a bit promising with her as she was also a backing singer for Olivier Mtukudzi. Mind you, during those times Mtukudzi was big and I had hoped I would get a chance to perform with him. But things as usual didn’t pan out as expected and I packed my bags and joined another group in Zimbabwe called College Musica. This was in 2001.”

He did not stay long with the latter as he once more joined another group dubbed New Stars Musica, a group which will later bring the young man into our Botswana shores in September 2003 where he joined a group called Extra Melody until Vee offered him a competitive package in 2007.

3). Quizzed on where he gets his inspiration from, Coming Soon ascribed his phenomenal success to one of DRC’s greatest Kwasa-Kwasa musicians known as Werson.
‘ This man is talented and he’s big in my country; DRC. Some of the dance moves, which I do here, I would have copied from him. Take for instance the popular ‘Sanola’ dance. I first saw it from him and I brought it into Botswana. However, I don’t just copy everything. Some of the moves you see me doing on stage are a result of my creativity and hard work.”

4). Coming Soon is currently in a relationship with a good-looking Motswana girlfriend and the two have a one-year-old daughter called Michelle. 
 “I love these two women and I plan to spend the rest of my life with them. I could only pray that God do continue to smile upon my life for me to realize my dreams.”
He enjoys Pap, Rice and Chicken on any given day.
 His advice to those who want to make a thriving career out of choreography is, “practice and always bring something new to the stage. You should also be active on stage all the time.”

HELLEN GOLEKANE MATHUDI DIKOBE

PERFORMING ARTIST


IN THREE WORDS, I AM...
Gentle, loving and full of fun person.

IF I’M FRIGHTENED OF ANYTHING, IT’S...
Failure.

IF I COULD TRAVEL BACK IN TIME I’D SET THE DIALS FOR...
I don’t look back in my life for the simply reason that I don’t have any regrets so far.

MY FAVOURITE PERSON IN THE UNIVERSE IS...
My mother, Ruth Dikobe.

MY LEAST FAVOURITE PERSON IN THE UNIVERSE IS...
I try not to hate or dislike except for the Devil/Satan.

THE LAST TIME I LOOKED IN THE MIRROR I THOUGHT...
Damn I’m beautiful.

IF I HAD TO LEAVE A BODY PART TO SCIENCE, IT WOULD BE...
My heart; I have a good and loving heart and I would want whoever that gets it to use it wisely.

MY DEFINITION OF LOVE IS...
Gentle, but it can be bitter and sweet.

THE LAST TIME I VOMITED, IT WAS BECAUSE OF...
Untidiness; it makes me puke.

THE GREATEST LESSON LIFE HAS TAUGHT ME IS...
Live a day today and don’t apologize for it tomorrow.

IF I KNEW THE WORLD WAS ENDING TOMORROW, THEN TODAY I’D...
Spend the whole day with my beloved ones; family and those close to me.

THE SONG I WANT PLAYED AT MY FUNERAL IS...
‘You’re true joy’ by Letta Mbulu and Caiphus Semenya.


I WANT MY TOMBSTONE TO READ...
Here lies Hellen; a loving friend, daughter and the greatest singer of our times.

IN PURELY MONETARY TERMS, I AM WORTH ROUGHLY...
An unlimited number of zeros.

NEED-TO-KNOW
1). Born at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Johannesburg on June, 6, 1980, Hellen Dikobe is a talented Afro-Pop singer who as a lady continues to triumph where many fear to trod.
The dreadlocked woman who hails from the small village of Mabalane in the Kgatleng District explained that her father who sadly passed away in 2003 was the reason why she was born at the famous African hospital as during that time the old man was working in one of South Africa’s gold mines.
‘All I know is that we hail from Mabalane. However I didn’t grow up there. I spent most of my life in the city, Gaborone where I attended Ben Thema, Maoka and St. Joseph’s College. I’m glad that most of the country’s renowned celebrities all come from this school. Take the likes of Vee, myself, DJ Sid for instance. Ha-ha!’ noted Hellen with a vivacious smile.
The woman with an ear-piercing voice added that she had always wanted a career in music and so far she had no regrets whatsoever.
‘Music has always being my first love. After completing Cambridge I started doing gigs with the Clement Jackson Crew as a backing singer. I only went solo four years ago with the release of my debut album titled ‘Black Woman’ which had tracks such as the popular ‘Kgangathi.’ It steadily gained local radio airplay and threw me into the eyes and ears of the unsuspecting public.’

2). While many associated the talented singer’s voice with that of the late South African songbird, Lebo Mathosa, Hellen simply said, “People in Botswana have a tendency of associating good Batswana artists with South Africa. I don’t mean to blow my own horn but I am a good singer. I can sing and I want them to know I’m from right here in Botswana. When you listen to my albums, don’t be mistaken. I sing Setswana House music genre which at first was somewhat reserved for men. I changed that.”
Quizzed as to why she chose the latter, Hellen said everything was made possible after she believed in herself.
‘I told myself that I can also do this kind of music. Besides men are human beings just like me and if they can do it so can I. I simply put my foot down and released my debut album ‘Black Woman’ in 2007. Although I didn’t promote it well enough I’m happy that today people know who Hellen is. I’m happy for what I’ve achieved so far.”

3). The 28-year-old songbird said just recently she released her second album simply dubbed ‘The Story of My Life’ which has 11 banging tracks.
She said by the look of things Batswana are receiving the album well adding that she was able to sell over a 100 copies at the album’s premier recently.
“My albums all have Afro-Pop-House feel to it. It’s Popish with an Afro influence that I like to call Afro-Soul. It is fast but also relaxing. I have always admired a person who comes out with their own style, because, there is a lot of Traditional music groups, a lot of Jazz artists, then there’s Vee and his Kwasa-Kwaito. As an introduction to Botswana’s music scene I wanted to bring a new sound to the Botswana scene and see if it is well received. I’m still in control and it’ll be safe to call me the first Botswana woman of House music.’
Hellen has featured in many of the local DJs and musicians’ projects among them DJ Boogie Sid, Owen, Eugene Jackson and HT just to mention a few.
‘I’m happy that these boys continue to engage me. However I’m careful not to have my voice all over the place lest I become tedious.’

4). The last born in a family of three, Hellen paid tribute to the untimely demise of his elder brother and father who passed away in 2001 and 2003, respectively.
‘I’m only left with my mum and sister now. We were five initially.’
On a lighter note Hellen enjoys Serobe dish and just recently finished reading a book titled ‘Art of Praying Together’ which she had borrowed from her mother’s collection.
‘I also enjoy reading magazines and checking their recipes which I normally try at home. I’m a good cook and I love to cook.’
She said as a way of sharing her musical know-how, she is busy mentoring a girlie group called Purple.
‘Sometimes when I play live I bring them on board to back me. I don’t want to stay long in the music business. I think I will retire after five albums and venture into textile. I’d love to have my own clothing label someday.’
Hellen dislikes who like to assume stuff about other individuals. She also hates dishonest people and her message to Batswana is simply, ‘We’re really trying and I wish everyone could support us. Music is my livelihood. Don’t copy my album. If Batswana support us musicians, we will in turn, keep them entertained,” she said as we concluded the interview.