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Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz correspondent
BOTSWANA Afro pop diva and Culture Spears member, Magdeline ‘Charma Gal’ Lesolebe said artistes in her home country were struggling to make ends meet as promoters shunned them preferring international artistes.
In a scenario that resonates with Bulawayo artistes, Charma Gal bemoaned Botswana promoters who prefer paying huge amounts of money to international artistes and giving them insignificant remuneration for their performances.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Jah Prayzah Kumbumura Mhute album launch at the Bulawayo Rainbow Hotel on Thursday night she said it was not easy in her country’s entertainment industry.
“It is not a walk in the park. It is difficult being in the showbiz industry in Botswana. Our promoters are not keen on taking us local acts on board and prefer paying huge amounts of money to international acts that they bring,” said Charma Gal.
She said the average entrance fee for local artistes was 40 pula and was surprised that people were paying $10 to $30, for an album launch.
“When we perform the most people can pay is 40 pula. So when I got here and heard that some were paying between $10 and $30 it was a surprise. We are getting there slowly but surely,” said Charma Gal.
The musician, who is married to Culture Spears lead vocalist Kabelo Mogwe, said she was impressed by the level of support from local artistes when Jah Prayzah launched his album.
“The album launches were very remarkable and I was impressed by the amount of support Jah Prayzah got from local artistes and business people and even government officials when he was launching. There were people like Amara Brown, Sulumani Chimbetu among others and this was a revelation to me on how big Jah Prayzah is,” said Charma Gal.
She said she would like to collaborate with some Zimbabwean artistes especially Oliver Mtukudzi.
“I would like to work with a lot of Zimbabwean musicians such as Amara Brown, I like her style and I think it can be fused with mine.
“However my dream collaboration is with Oliver Mtukudzi. He is my favourite musician from here,” said Charma Gal.
She was in Zimbabwe to support Jah Prayzah at his double album launches held in Harare and Bulawayo.
The two collaborated in the song Dali Wangu and the musician said Jah Prayzah drove all the way from Zimbabwe meet her before they produced the track.
“At first he used to call us and since we did not know him we used to ignore him until he came to Botswana and found Culture Spears.
“After seeing his music videos I was impressed and we made arrangements to record a single together,”
Charma Gal has five albums under her name which are Eke Ntolo Volume 1 to 5.
In her home country she is a household name with her group winning the Botswana Music Union award with the hit, Kulenyane in 2006.
Charma Gal who crossed over to afro-pop under Culture Spears’ sub-group, Ekentolo shot into stardom in her home country with tracks such as Chika Dance and Matebele.
Online Reporter