Local traditional dancing group Ditaola is now based in Mafikeng, South Africa, where they hope to take the music industry by storm.

Group leader Lesetlha Segomotso says they moved to South Africa at the beginning of this year.

He says the market in South Africa is better, adding that they want to establish themselves south of the border. In terms of business, he says, things "are far much better there".

Segomotso says business in Botswana has not been good especially after the implementation of the liquor regulations, which reduced the trading hours of bars and nightclubs. As a result, local nightclubs are no longer offering gigs.

The Ditaola leader says they were running short of venues. But they are not facing such problems in South Africa. He says clubs in South Africa also operate for longer hours and the attendances are good. Ditaola has staged shows in places like Letlamoreng Dam, which is famous for hosting jazz festivals. The group also performed at the African National Congress (ANC) campaign rallies ahead of last April 22 elections. In addition, the traditional group has shared the stage with renowned South African artistes such asSenyaka.

To cap it all, the group was also booked for the just-ended FIFA Confederations Cup events in Johannesburg and Rustenburg. The traditional dancer says his group is already well known in the North West province, where they are based, because South Africans love traditional music.

The Ditaola artiste reveals that his groups have a huge following in South Africa. The group is also selling its music in that country. Ditaola dancer Tshweu France is the crowd's favourite during shows. Besides South Africa, Ditaola has toured Mozambique and Lesotho. The group was given a rousing welcome in Lesotho where there is a strong following for traditional music. Segomotso says they have not forgotten their fans in Botswana. They are intending to tour the country to stage shows.

Ditaola was expected to launch the new album entitled Barotloetsi in Mafikeng over the weekend. Local artistes like Ashley Gops were scheduled to join Ditaola at the launch.

Even the South African media has shown keen interest in traditional music as Ditaola music is given much airplay on South African radio stations like Motsweding and Mafikeng FM.

Segomotso, who was recently interviewed by radio stations about his music, says they are going to relocate after next year's FIFA World Cup to be hosted by South Africa. They are also targeting the soccer showpiece, he says.

Ditaola was initially known as Dithakga tsa Mmino. But the group changed its name after the fallout with former manager, Lydia Moate.

Actually when they parted with Moate, there was a dispute as to who really owned the name Dithakga. This forced Segomotso and the others to change the group's name. When the group was known as Dithakga, it released two albums, Kgogamasigo and Tshutshumakgala.