Chippa Legodimo
29 October 2009
Gaborone — Two weeks ago disco fans waited in great anticipation for a performance by Dan Tshanda and his band Splash at Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) star rally in Gaborone West before the elections, but all the ace producer could do was come up stage with the help of his security guards and say few words before retreating to his car.
The Splash leader singer was sick at the time after suffering food poisoning during his tour of Zimbabwe, which ended two days before the BDP show.
Aspirants Botsalo Ntuane (Gaborone West South) and Odirile Motlhale (South East South) had engaged Splash and Matshikos as they tried to woo voters. The plan seemed to have worked well for the two young politicians as they went on to win with huge margins.
"I felt bad that I could not give my fans what they were looking for in Gaborone and Ramotswa because they had come in large numbers, perhaps the largest number of fans we have ever drawn in Botswana. From those shows I was hospitalised for a day and since my release I have been taking my medication well, and I can feel I am getting my strength back. I am trying everything to take care of myself because I cannot afford to disappoint my fans again. I want to ensure that they quickly forget about the last two shows," Tshanda said.
"I have to say that I liked the way they understood my situation last week. I could see that they were worried about my health instead of being angry that I was not performing. A lot of them kept coming to my car to wish me well. I was so weak I could not do anything and now I am positive that they will get what they deserve," he said.
Splash comes back to the country for their annual national tour starting with two shows in Jwaneng and Molapowabojang on Friday and Saturday respectively. During the BDP shows only Splash and Matshikos were invited to perform.
But this time around all the Dalom Music groups will be performing. Fans will be happy to learn that there are new members to the 'family' who recently released their debut albums.
Silindile and Barrier will be making their first appearance promoting their new releases. However, the more popular acts like Patricia Majalisa, Matshikos, Peacock, Don B(Donald Botshelo) and Dalom Kids are not offering anything new this year.
According to Tshanda, 2009 has been the most difficult year in terms of record sales hence he decided to skip a year of producing albums for these groups.
"Recession has hit us badly and I felt it would not make business sense to keep on spending money on new albums when people are not buying. I decided to record only Barrier and Silindile because they are new and I wanted to promote them so that next year when things get better, I would just proceed with building their names further," he said.
Following the closure of Lions Park to music festivals, Splash has shifted its Gaborone show to Duma FM compound near Phakalane on November 7. The tour continues to the north on November 20 in Orapa. The disco maestro and his band would then for the first time stage a show in Sebina the following day.
The tour ends with two shows in Selebi-Phikwe and Shashe on November 28 and 29 respectively.
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