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Botswana: Power in the Voice
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Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone)
7 April 2008
Posted to the web 7 April 2008
Mogomotsi Moloi
Rainbow High School Performing Arts Group mentor Rasina Rasina has promised the nation that his four female performing arts students will fair better in the coming international final festival to be held here in August.
His group won Power In the Voice national finals held last Friday at Mantlwaneng Hall (Westhood School) amid tough competition from Lobatse Secondary School, Marang Community Junior Secondary School, Bokamoso, and Moeding College.
Power In the Voice is a performing arts festival hosted by the British Council. It is all about young people exhibiting their skills and aptitudes in storytelling, poetry and Rap music in live performances.
The winning team is made of Nature Ingi, Sibingile Phiri, Valerie Ferguson and Ema Wareus. Rasina, an renowned African poet and theatre artiste, said they are glad to have become national champions and that they will do more practice to continue doing better when Botswana hosts the international finals in August. These international finals were initially billed for the United Kingdom (UK) but later moved to Botswana upon request by Botswana performing artistes.
The international finals will see Botswana pitted against South Africa, the UK, Zimbabwe, Mauritius and Zambia. These are the six countries where Power In the Voice exists.
Rasina, who is engaged by the British Council through art, acknowledged that the competition was very challenging last Friday. He said other artistes had improved tremendously and that they really gave them a run for their money.
"It was quiet impressing to see young people competing in such a closely contested competition. It shows that Botswana artistes are getting somewhere," Rasina said.
He had just returned from the UK where he had adjudicated over competition of a similar nature. He said his trip was bearing fruit and this could be noted from his group's success.
"This trip to the UK has helped a lot," he said, adding that his group had worked hard to achieve the victory. He acknowledged the contribution made by his partner at Rainbow, Tjawangwa Dema.
Rasina hailed Dema as another formidable poet who promised to take the performing arts in Botswana to another level. "Our combination is a combination from God," said an impressed versatile Rasina who boasts vast experience in directing theatre.
He explained that through the performing arts, young people could voice out issues concerning them in their daily lives. He added that they mentor children to use the art form to benefit them as individuals and as people.
"We want to help those children who have an interest in the arts and give them proper direction in life through art," he said. He argued that could contribute to the growth of the economy and its diversification.
Meanwhile, the UK stands a better chance to cause an upset in the coming international finals here, given its diverse population and experience in many aspects of artistic work in general. Zimbabwe also has a chance, considering that they have recorded a brilliant history in the industry of the performing arts.
South Africa might be at the same level with Botswana, though the neighbours have more experience. But this is not a big deal for Rasina. He maintained that they can outclass any opponent when they meet in August.
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He said between now and August, they will market Rainbow girls regionally and make Batswana understand the importance of the performing arts. It is rumoured that Rasina's charges will perform for the newly inaugurated President of the Republic of Botswana Ian Khama at an unspecified event.
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