Sticks tapped. Branches waved.The crowd at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium leaned forward as one, waiting.Then Kangangwani Magocha ‘Dr Vom’, stepped onto the stage in his trademark, dikhwaere attire and the 5th BTC Francistown Marathon exploded.He struck the first notes of Tsaya Thobane, the 2007 hit that still owns every wedding and celebration in Botswana.The waiting was over. From the barrier to the back of the parking lot, bodies moved. Voices joined. The parking lot became a dance floor.For 10minutes, Dr Vom had Francistown. Revellers sang every word back at him, sticks punching the cold, wet air after the morning’s rain. When he paused, the crowd roared for more. But the MC’s hand went up – awards ceremony next. The music had to stop.It was classic Dr Vom. Same song. Same outfit. Same result, he stole the show.Yet Saturday’s set had a second verse. Between songs, the traditional music legend turned promoter. Botswana hosts the Debswana World Athletics Relays in Gaborone on May 2-3, and Dr Vom used the BTC stage to tell the country, and the 4,000 runners from 18 nations, to get ready.“I was invited by BTC, but I saw a bigger duty,” Dr Vom said after stepping off stage.“We won the right to host the World Relays. This is our chance to show the world that Botswana can deliver events of this size. The marathon today, the relays next month, we are ready.”The crowd, still catching its breath from Tsaya Thobane, cheered again. This time for May.
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