Gaborone — For its opening night, the Maitisong Festival treated attendees to a four-act showcase of dance, comedy, music, and theatre.

The line-up featured dance group New Moon, who delivered a stellar performance that blended traditional dance with rock music, followed by a soulful choreography that the audience described as transporting them to another world.

"It was ethereal. Your choice of attire, the white robes, together with the stage colours and neon lights made it all the more celestial," said one attendee. Stand-up comedian Jonny Pula took to the stage in the second act, leaving the audience in stitches as he gave a peek into his humorous mind.

His set touched on Botswana's presidents and everyday life stories laced with wit.

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In the end, his main message was for everyone to set themselves free from whatever limits their potential.

He recounted how, once, he had to hide from dangerous men in a chicken coop, a story he used as a metaphor for fear.

"The chicken coop represents that place of fear we all need to overcome," he explained.

"Leave the chicken coop!" he repeated over and over again as he exited the stage.

Musician KX Legit then got the audience on their feet with his hit No Ceiling, followed by songs such as Jikeleza and Gopola Gae, the latter featuring And Spaces, Veezo View, and Bouncy.

He closed his set with his BBC radio favourite Back to Moshate. Closing the night was South Africa's Shy Music, who surprised audiences with a theatrical performance that transported them across the African plains and into turbulent rains through harmonious and soulful voices.

The ten-day Maitisong Festival promises more creativity and excitement, with upcoming performances by artistes such as Veezo View, across multiple venues in Gaborone including the Maitisong Theatre, Botswanacraft, Main Mall and the University of Botswana's VAPA Theatre.