Category: Arts & Culture

Musical talent runs in the family as debut artiste, Thuto Rantao, also jazz artiste, Kearoma Rantao’s daughter, has officially made her entrance in the music scene, with debut EP titled, Baloi.

The EP, is a collection of three tracks, Baloi, Wena and Sdoba, all weaved with the artiste’s distinctive sound, crafted by blending traditional Southern African rhythms and vocal stylings with contemporary pop, dance, and afro rhythm production techniques.

“This is a fusion of sounds that are at once global in appeal and deeply rooted in African heritage,” explained Thuto in an interview. 

The Gaborone-based singer further explained that the EP’s title, which loosely translated to witches or sorcerers, was not meant to be taken literally, but rather as a metaphor for the powerful and unseen forces that shaped an individual’s journey, whether cultural, societal, or self-imposed.

Baloi, is about owning your power, your magic, and challenging the beliefs that hold you back. It is a sonic statement about where I come from and where I am going. I believe this sound is a new chapter for my music,” said Thuto.

The 27-year-old, who rose to prominence after winning the, My African Dream competition in 2021, said her musical journey dated back to her time in the local singing show, My Star Botswana, which ended in her elimination from the show.

The experience hit her hard, she admitted, however, not enough to make her quit on her dreams.

“I have always been surrounded by a strong support system. My mom and The Women of Jazz have been one of my greatest inspiration. Seeing how hard they work has been a nudge to keep reaching high, even through challenging times,” said Thuto.

Even as Kearoma’s daughter, Thuto said she refused to be limited by genre boundaries, stressing that she wanted to demonstrate versatility in her sound, especially because she was passionate about creating music that resonated with a wide and diverse audience.

Baloi, marks the official launch of a promising career, as the rising star shared her plans to make more collaborations in December, adding onto several others she has with artistes like Sal Angel (Betrayed), Jungle Yard and Motlha (Wena) and none other than her mother, Rantao on track, Ina Lebe- Ke a roma.

“And as for next year, I plan to drop an album. So keep looking out,” she said

In a world where young people are often encouraged to choose predictable career paths, 34-year-old Karabo ‘Silver Creatif’ Tlhagale of Maun has taken a different route, one shaped by passion, sharpened by resilience, and sustained by a refusal to abandon the creative voice within him.

Today, Tlhagale is widely regarded as one of the most consistent photographers and videographers in Ngamiland’s creative space, known for his distinct visual style and steady presence at weddings, in documentaries, adverts and lifestyle projects.

But his journey into the arts was neither glamorous nor clear-cut. It began, he said with instinct rather than strategy. 

“I did not enter photography because I knew it could make me money. I entered because it made sense to my heart, even when it didn’t make sense to my pockets,” he recalled.

His defining moment arrived more than a decade ago when a friend invited him to a small documentary screening about skateboarding. It was not the subject matter that struck him rather it was the craft.

“I remember thinking: who created this? I asked my friend who proudly confirmed that he was the creative behind the masterpiece and I was captivated and inspired,” he said.

Something shifted that day and by 2014, driven by curiosity and a growing desire to learn the art properly, he enrolled at Limkokwing University to formalise his training. 

“School helped me understand the technical side, but passion is what kept me going when everything else got hard,” he said.

Behind the polished images and creative acclaim lies a world of uncertainty and struggle that many outside the industry rarely see. Like many creatives, he has battled inconsistent income and the persistent challenge of underpayment. 

Clients, he said, often demanded high-quality work but hesitated to pay its value. While some creatives leave the industry out of frustration, he has learned to survive its unpredictability with discipline and humility.

“You cannot sit home waiting for gigs. You must be moving, learning, working and staying alive long enough for your breakthrough to find you,” he said. 

It is this mindset that has kept him relevant for more than a decade. His visual style, moody, crisp, storytelling in its composition has become his signature.

Asked how he has remained visible in an industry where many fade within a few years, he said: “Consistency and humility. You treat every small job like it is the biggest opportunity of your life.”

Tlhagale remembers shooting earlier events for little pay, simply to build a name. 

“Reputation in this artwork is very important and for one to be recognised there is need to unveil talents to the people,” he said.

His advice to aspiring photographers and videographers is rooted in passion rather than glamour. 

“Enter this industry with passion first and not desperation, not the desire to trend, if your motivation is money alone, disappointment will come fast,” he said.

He encouraged young creatives to keep learning and sharpening their craft. 

“Skill grows only when you push it, your camera should feel like an extension of your hand,” he said. Among his proudest achievements is a music video he shot for his brother, work he continues to reference when measuring his artistic growth. 

In a country where the creative industry is still developing, where funding is limited and opportunities unevenly distributed, maintaining momentum is itself a remarkable feat. Yet, Tlhagale is not done.

“I want to build something that outlives me, perhaps a training centre, a space where young creatives can access equipment, mentorship and opportunities,” he said.

Tlhagale’s story is more than a creative journey. It is a testament to the courage required to choose passion in a world that often treats the arts as optional and to remain committed even when the road is steep.