Kutlwano Magazine

Botswana’s Michael Jackson

Source : Kutlwano

Author : Brian Gabosenkwe

Location : Gaborone

Event : Interview

If you thought Michael Jackson was dead and buried, then you have never been to a wedding or some corporate function in Letlhakane.

While the pop star might have passed on more than five years ago, his spirit lives on in 11-year-old Brian Gabosenkelwe. Brian is a Standard Four pupil at Retlhatloleng Primary School in Letlhakane.

His mother, Emily Gabosenkelwe, 31, says Brian started showing passion for dancing as early as four years.

“Brian would come closer to the television set whenever there was a pop or R&B song playing. He would sing and dance along with the song,” recalls Gabosenkelwe.

She then realised her son had talent in dancing. The youthful mother says she started motivating and helping him to build his self-esteem to be able to perform in front of a crowd.

Thanks to her mother, today Brian is a popular dancer in Letlhakane. He is Michael Jackson reincarnate and performs the late pop star`s dance moves with aplomb.

Go to any wedding in Letlhakane or some corporate function and I bet the boy you see mesmerizing the audience is Brian. In 2014, Brian entered My African Dream competition. However, due to financial constraints his dream of going further to the national finals was cut short ending in the top 10 in the region.

Notwithstanding, Brian is popular in Letlhakane. He is raking in money but there is equally fear this might distract the young boy from school. His mother is quick, howver, to point out that her son does not handle his finances himself.

Instead, his mother manages everything and helps him to save his money.

Meanwhile, Brian reckons Jackson`s moonwalk dance moves come naturally to him. He does not spend much time rehearsing but dedicates more time to his education.

He encourages his age mates to pursue their talents. Brian says pursuing ones talent does not mean one abandoning school because education is key to success. ENDS