Gasebalwe Seretse
7 July 2008
If I were a poet, I would say an ode to the latest victim of the dreaded axe at Pop Star, Elizabeth Ramaeba and the opening line would be Elizabeth, Oh Elizabeth.
Everyone knew that last Friday evening at the Botswana Television (Btv) Auditorium was a night of tough decisions and one of the four remaining wannabe pop stars had to go.
By 7.30 pm, the place was overflowing as fans came to witness the selection of the top three, who would go on to battle it out for the top position on July 11 at Boipuso Hall.
Unfortunately, those who came late were turned away as the place was full.
The show was opened by a South African gospel artiste called Rudi who sang Re Tlaa Thaba and Hare Namela.
One wonders why the producers of Pop Star Botswana chose to invite an average South African artiste to supposedly spice up the event while there is plenty of talent in Botswana.
There was a bit of comedy when Pop Star judge Kgomotso Tshwenyego took to the stage, singing a Judy Boucher hit song. As Tshwenyego, who is not vocally gifted, sang the song, some of the Pop Star fans broke into fits of laughter and somebody commented: Ba nna ba kgala batho mme bone ba sa itse go opela.
Although the best place for Tshwenyego to sing would be in the shower, the remaining top four contenders chose to declare that she has talent drawing comments like, Go riana le malope, from the revellers.
Judge Keabetswe 'Master Dee' Sesinyi of Ntolontolo fame then followed with Ntolontolo and a Lucky Dube song and saved the night for the judges who had become the laughing stock at the show.
Surprisingly, Sidney 'DJ Sid' Baitsile, the harshest judge could not show his face when it was his turn to sing. Perhaps he did not want to embarrass himself.
When it was announced that Caroline Chilufya and Tebogo Tlhagadigora were safe, Ramaeba's fans started losing hope that she would go further as Osi Phuthologo has a more mature voice.
The talented Ramaeba stood a better chance against Chilufya whose performances have been declining in recent weeks.
One thing about Ramaeba is that her fans have not been very supportive when it comes to voting because even when she outclassed her peers she would receive the least votes. Although the lass sang better than last week, it was obvious that it was her time to go.
The judges comforted her by saying that as she grows older, her voice will mature and she will be a great singer.
This meant three wannabe pop stars, Chilufya, Tlhagadigora, and Phuthologo have qualified for the grand finale.
Clearly relieved that she had survived the axe, Chilufya took to the stage and sang Whitney Houston's Greatest Love of All, which the contestants have overindulged, and the task song. The young woman did a great job and Master Dee pointed out that she "did justice to the task song".
DJ Sid, who has never hidden the fact that he is fond of Chilufya, claimed that if she released an album, he would be the first to buy it. Tlhagadigora followed with a beautiful rendition of Remember When It Rained, which left his fans screaming for more.
He also did justice to the task song, leaving DJ Sid with no choice but to say: "You won this competition since day one."
Master Dee was also impressed and urged Batswana to vote for the young man.
'The Flower Girl', Osi Phuthologo followed with Alicia Keys' If I Ain't Got You and the task song - and she did a marvellous job.
All the judges concurred that Phuthologo did a great job with Master Dee adding that should she wish to record, she must get somebody to write songs for her, as she is not a good songwriter.
Perhaps, this would be an opportune time for Showtime to make some predictions about the grand finale and one can safely assume that the top prize will go to Tlhagadigora followed by Phuthologo and Chilufya in that order.
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