AGP Executive Report

Culture on the Menu: Angola’s embassy brings food, music and dance to Phakalane today for its first Angolan Gastronomic Festival, using culture to build ties with Botswana. Botswana Fashion: Fashion Without Borders Botswana wraps up today at The Grand Palm, bringing 22 designers from five African countries together around sustainable fashion, with a business masterclass from TSHEPO Jeans founder Tshepo Mohlala. New Music Voices: Orange Music Talents 2026 is taking auditions beyond Gaborone, offering free entry and a P100,000 top prize as it searches for emerging singers across the country. Artist Profile: Gaborone-based rapper and producer CrayOn describes his songs as diary pages, while his work across music, photography and video reflects a drive to create in more than one style. Going Solo: Oratile Kofa is exploring Afro-fusion beyond her familiar Khoisan sound, using her solo project to test new creative directions.

Music: Gaborone rapper-producer Toro Tseleng, known as CrayOn, treats each song like a diary page, with his creativity also reaching photography, video and production. Fashion & Identity: Brand Botswana and the Maikarabelo Movement want national pride to translate into support for local designers and businesses. Fashion Without Borders Botswana, running through Oct. 17, brings together 22 designers from five countries, with a TSHEPO Jeans masterclass. Live Culture: Angola’s embassy hosts its first gastronomic festival in Phakalane on Oct. 17, pairing traditional food with music and dance. New Voices: Oratile Kofa is exploring a solo Afro-fusion sound beyond her work with Khoisan. Orange Music Talents is also taking free auditions around the country, offering a P100,000 top prize and a village-to-village search for emerging singers.

Botswana Music: Oratile Kofa is exploring a solo Afro-fusion sound beyond her work with Khoisan, while Orange Music Talents 2026 is taking free auditions nationwide in search of new stars, with P100,000 for the winner. Fashion & Creativity: Fashion Without Borders Botswana brings 22 designers from five countries to Gaborone through 17 October, pairing runway creativity with a focus on sustainable business. Brand Botswana is also urging creators to turn national pride into support for homegrown fashion and businesses. Creative Industries: ACEL 2026 wraps up in Gaborone after bringing more than 200 participants together to discuss the infrastructure, investment and policies African creatives need. Culture: Angola’s embassy invites audiences to its first gastronomic festival in Phakalane on 17 October, with traditional food, music and dance. Sport: Botswana umpire Kefilwe Rasengwatshe has been selected for Dakar 2026, the first Olympic event hosted in Africa; meanwhile, African Stars face Orlando Pirates in Gaborone on Saturday.

Football in Gaborone: Namibian champions African Stars are targeting a strong result against Orlando Pirates in Saturday’s CAF Champions League tie. Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says midfielder Thalente Mbatha will be rested after his return from injury. Creative Economy: ACEL 2026 brings more than 200 policymakers, investors and creative leaders from over 20 countries to Gaborone on October 15–16 to discuss the infrastructure and investment needed to grow Africa’s creative industries. Fashion: Fashion Without Borders Botswana runs October 15–17 at The Grand Palm, featuring 22 designers from five countries and a business masterclass with TSHEPO Jeans founder Tshepo Mohlala. Festivals: Born and Raised has announced December 23 for its 10th anniversary in Serowe, with South African rapper and amapiano artist Focalistic and Sotho musician Sannere among the first acts revealed.

Fashion: Fashion Without Borders Botswana opens at The Grand Palm today, bringing 22 designers from five countries together through October 17. TSHEPO Jeans founder Tshepo Mohlala will share lessons on building a lasting fashion brand. Creative Economy: Gaborone hosts ACEL 2026 today and Friday, with more than 200 delegates from 20-plus countries discussing the policy, investment, venues and technology African artists need to grow. Festivals: Born and Raised returns to Serowe on December 23 for its 10th anniversary, with Focalistic and Sannere among the first acts announced. Botswana Music: ATI fan Collen Roots is recreating the late artist’s style in performances linked to ATI’s posthumous album and tombstone unveiling. African Film: REEL BALANCE, a coalition of seven advocacy groups, is working with more than 50 festivals to increase women’s representation on screen and behind the scenes.

Creative Economy: Gaborone hosts ACEL 2026 on October 15–16, bringing more than 200 delegates from over 20 countries to discuss the infrastructure, investment and policies needed to grow Africa’s creative industries. ATI Tribute: Collen Roots is drawing attention for recreating the late musician’s look and stage presence, turning devoted fandom into a striking performance. Festive Sounds: Born and Raised returns to Serowe on December 23 for its 10th anniversary, with South African star Focalistic and Sannere among the announced acts. Copyright: A Mogoditshane court ordered Dawn Bell Academy to pay COSBOTS P38,276.64 in licensing fees; the school has indicated it may appeal.

Creative Economy: Gaborone hosts the Africa Creative Economy Lens on October 15–16, bringing more than 200 delegates from over 20 countries to discuss the policy, investment, venues and technology needed to grow Africa’s creative industries. Festivals: Born and Raised returns to Serowe on December 23 for its 10th anniversary, with South African star Focalistic among the first acts announced. Local Entertainment: Gaborone South MP plans a mini stadium that could give local artists a venue for small concerts as well as sporting events. Music and Fandom: Collen Roots is drawing attention for recreating late Botswana artist ATI’s look and stage presence, turning years of devotion into a tribute performance. Copyright: A Mogoditshane court ordered Dawn Bell Academy to pay COSBOTS P38,276.64 in licensing fees over the use of protected works; the school has indicated it may appeal. Cultural Exchange: Angola’s embassy plans a culinary diplomacy event in Botswana featuring traditional food, music and dance.

Creative Economy: Gaborone hosts the Africa Creative Economy Lens on October 15–16, bringing more than 200 delegates from over 20 countries to discuss the infrastructure, investment and policy needed to grow African arts. Festivals: Born and Raised returns to Serowe on December 23 for its 10th anniversary, with South African star Focalistic and Sannere among the announced acts. Music Fandom: Collen Roots is drawing attention for recreating late Botswana musician ATI’s style and stage presence, turning years of fandom into a tribute performance. Copyright: A Mogoditshane court ordered Dawn Bell Academy to pay COSBOTS P38,276 in licensing fees for using protected works; the academy has indicated it may appeal. Craft: De Beers is showcasing work by Mabeo Studio and Botswana master basket weaver Shakunona Parata at Homo Faber 2026. Community Arts: A proposed mini stadium in Gaborone South could also give local artists a venue for small concerts.

Botswana Craft: De Beers has teamed up with Mabeo Studio and master basket weaver Shakunona Parata for a showcase at Homo Faber 2026, bringing local basketry into an international design spotlight. Botswana Music: Superfan Collen Roots is keeping late artist ATI’s legacy alive by recreating his look, voice and movement at events linked to the posthumous album Box Office. African Film: REEL BALANCE, a coalition of seven women-focused film organisations, is working with more than 50 festivals to improve women’s representation on screen and behind the scenes. Copyright: A Mogoditshane court ordered Dawn Bell Academy to pay COSBOTS P38,276.64 in licensing fees over the use of protected works; the academy has signalled it may appeal. Dance: Botswana’s Rammoni has been appointed vice-chairperson of FIDAF Africa, becoming the first Motswana to hold a leadership role in the international dance festival federation.

Music and fandom: Collen Roots is keeping late Botswana artist ATI’s legacy alive by recreating his look, voice and movement at events tied to the posthumous album Box Office and tombstone unveiling. Roots, who performed alongside ATI after meeting him as a teenager, is widely regarded as Botswana’s first artist cosplayer. Craft and culture: De Beers is collaborating with Mabeo Studio and Botswana master basket weaver Shakunona Parata at Homo Faber 2026, bringing local basketry into an international showcase. Dance leadership: Botswana’s Rammoni has been appointed vice-chairperson of FIDAF Africa, becoming the first Motswana to join the international dance festival organisation’s leadership. He says the role recognises years of work promoting Botswana and African dance on the global stage.

African Music: Congolese soukous star Kanda Bongoman’s colourful performances and cross-language appeal helped his music reach audiences across the continent. Botswana Dance: Rammoni has become the first Motswana vice-chair of FIDAF Africa, raising Botswana’s profile in an international network of dance festivals. Craft and Design: De Beers is collaborating with Mabeo Studio and Botswana master basket weaver Shakunona Parata for Homo Faber 2026. New Music: Mpho Sebina is stretching beyond her usual sound on “Koma,” blending Setswana soul with Afro House and 3-step alongside Balcony Mix Africa and Major League DJz.

Cultural Leadership: Botswana’s Rammoni has been appointed vice-chair of FIDAF Africa, becoming the first Motswana in the dance-festival federation’s leadership. He says the role gives Botswana a stronger voice in international cultural exchange. Nightlife: Botswana entertainment groups have proposed new venue hours, arguing the current 24-hour plan favours bars over nightclubs and festivals. Their alternative would allow clubs to operate from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. New Music: Mpho Sebina steps beyond familiar sounds on “Koma,” blending Setswana soul with 3-step and Afro House alongside Balcony Mix Africa and Major League DJz. Botswana Craft: De Beers and Mabeo Studio are bringing master basket weaver Shakunona Parata’s work to Homo Faber 2026, showcasing Botswana weaving on an international design stage.

Music: Mpho Sebina steps beyond familiar genre lines on “Koma,” blending Setswana soul with 3-step and Afro House alongside Balcony Mix Africa and Major League DJz. Dance: Rammoni has become the first Motswana appointed vice-chair of FIDAF Africa, bringing Botswana into the global dance festival organisation’s leadership. Nightlife: Entertainment groups have proposed new venue hours, including nightclubs operating until 6am, arguing the current 24-hour economy plan disadvantages clubs and festivals. Craft: Botswana basket weaver Shakunona Parata will be featured with Mabeo Studio in a De Beers collaboration at Homo Faber 2026. Jazz: Botswana-based musician JKeys is using his latest song, “GBV,” to urge men to reject violence against women and children.

Music: Mpho Sebina is stretching her sound on “Koma,” blending Setswana soul with 3-step and Afro House alongside Balcony Mix Africa and Major League DJz. Cultural Leadership: Botswana’s Rammoni has been appointed vice-chair of FIDAF Africa, a milestone that puts a Motswana in a key role at the international dance festival federation. Craft: De Beers, Mabeo Studio and master basket weaver Shakunona Parata are bringing Botswana design and basketry to Homo Faber 2026. Nightlife: Botswana’s nightclub and entertainment groups have proposed new operating hours, arguing the government’s 24-hour economy plan disadvantages nightclubs and festivals while favouring bars. Music for Change: Botswana-based jazz musician JKeys has released “GBV,” urging men to reject violence against women and children. Football: Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Township Rollers meet in Gaborone’s Royal Encounter, with Chiefs unbeaten in their last four league meetings against their rivals.

Dance Leadership: Botswana’s Rammoni has been appointed vice-chair of the International Federation of Dance Festivals’ Africa branch, becoming the first Motswana in its leadership. He says the role will help put local creatives on the world stage. Nightlife Rules: Botswana’s nightclub and entertainment associations are pushing back against the government’s 24-hour economy plan, arguing it favours bars at the expense of clubs and festivals. New Sounds: Mpho Sebina’s “Koma,” made with Balcony Mix Africa and Major League DJz, blends Setswana soul, 3-step and Afro House. Craft and Design: Mabeo Studio and master basket weaver Shakunona Parata will showcase Botswana creativity with De Beers at Homo Faber 2026.

Cultural Leadership: Botswana’s Rammoni has been appointed vice-chair of FIDAF Africa, becoming the first Motswana in the dance festival organisation’s leadership. He says the role will help put local creatives on the global stage. Football Rivalry: Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Township Rollers meet Saturday night in Gaborone’s Royal Encounter, with Chiefs unbeaten in their last four league meetings. Nightlife: Entertainment industry groups have proposed new venue hours, arguing the government’s 24-hour economy plan favours bars over nightclubs and festivals. Music: Mpho Sebina’s new track “Koma” blends Setswana soul, 3-step and Afro House with Balcony Mix Africa and Major League DJz. Botswana Craft: De Beers and Mabeo Studio are showcasing Botswana master basket weaver Shakunona Parata at Homo Faber 2026.