Sargam Trust honours local artists, gives to charity

Sargam Trust, which recently celebrated its 25 anniversary, also honoured some local artists with cash prizes for their hard work and excellent contribution to the entertainment industry at an event held this past Saturday at Travel Lodge in Gaborone.

This year, a total amount of P150 000 was donated to Moshupa YWCA and deserving artists such as Mafitlhakgosi Dance Troupe, Ana Fiki, Boxing Caner and Malucky Star, who walked away with P50 000.00 and P25 000.00 respectively. Vice President, Mokgweetsi Masisi applauded the trust for the motivation that they keep instilling in various activities in the country. The Indian music-oriented event proved that indeed music has no language, as the long night captivated the audience with the performance of the night from both the Indians and some Batswana artists. The audience was filled with excitement and seemingly enjoyed every detail on the stage, particularly the Indian dance moves which certainly reminded everyone of the Indian movies.

Music enthusiasts Manhar Mooney, Pravin Mistry and Birendra Sahu founded Sargam Trust, and the first show presented in Botswana in 1992. It was recorded as a one-off effort that received wide spread appreciation and accolades from the community and became an on-going initiative. Through music, the trust has become a vehicle for good deeds, with the support of the Indian business community, and has thus presented 20 shows during its 25-year journey, raising over P3000 000.00 for numerous causes in Botswana.

Ana Fiki of Bua le nna re babedi fame, was also put on the spotlight when she was recognised as one of the deserving artists in the country. The multi-talented artist who fell blind a few months after birth, has proved that disability is not inability as she identified her musical talent and used it to make ends meet. To date, she never disappoints with her beautiful voice. The Indian community has vowed to build her a comfortable home. Malucky Star, put on a great performance and stole the show with his unique dance moves, which left the excited audience begging for more.