Volume 65 December 2026-January 2026 : Art & Culture
Young journos Jazz It up- Part 1
Author : Wendy Sentomba
The Hamptons Jazz Festival has come and gone but not before it left some last impressions on journalism intern from Limkokwing University and Wendy Setomba, who share their experiences below to show how much journalistic skill they have gained in the first few weeks they had been with Kutlwano Magazine.
They say music is a universal language. Indeed, I could not agree more with this maxim. That said, may I indulge you to accompany me as I take a musical journey to tap into the rich artistic heritage of jazz music as I enjoyed the 3rd annual Hamptons Jazz Festival last month.
Organised by Debbie Smith, yet again the Hamptons Jazz Festival made its mark in Botswana bringing together talented Botswana acts - Woman of Jazz, Sereetsi and The Natives and Sharon - along with their South African counterparts to Duma FM grounds.
This year, the much-anticipated event took place on February 27. Hosts, beautiful Goitse of Big Brother fame, Tiro, otherwise known as Scavenger and Juju Vine, did a spectacular job to make sure everything ran smoothly.
Social media especially Facebook did its bit to advertise the show reaching out to a mass number of people. Batswana have the love for music as the young and old made their way to witness yet another sizzling jazz show with its fascinating and exciting live band performances.
International artists who made the list as Hamptonetts` choice for the show included the legendary Oliver Mtukudzi, Stimela, The Soil, Nathi and Vusi Nova, just to mention a few. They gave Batswana something to talk about if not value for their money.
Given the show kicked off in the morning some came along with their children but would soon send them back home so as to enjoy the show alone without the risk of lost or nagging children. Revellers brought camp chairs and cooler boxes. At the VIP section, free drinks and food were galore while a relaxed mood pervaded the gardens.
One South Africa artist could not help feeling impressed by fashion trends which have now become a statement for the Hamptons Jazz Festival. Almost everyone looked dazzling in their African prints or leteisi. Even men spotted stylish attires that oozed creativity.
Meanwhile, there is no doubt that events like these boost tourism as well as the economy as they attract a huge number of people from almost all corners of the globe. As such, the Hamptons festival provides a platform for exchange of professional and intellectual capital and expertise.
It plays a major role in highlighting and promoting Botswana as a prominent destination on the international entertainment circuit. The Soil, an artist from South Africa, reckons Botswana as their home away from home.