Mascom Derby back with a blast
Katlego Isaacs | Wednesday March 9, 2022 16:26
The Mascom sponsored horse race found itself at odds with COVID-19 regulations in both 2020 and 2021; barred from conducting public gatherings Maun found itself deprived of one of its largest annual events. In light of relaxed regulations and the end of the State of Emergency, the Derby has been given the green light to dazzle the race tracks of Shashe in Maun on April 16, 2022.
In it’s revival, Mascom in conjunction with the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development (MYSC) has ensured the Derby comes back better than ever with 120 race horses set to compete in two separate categories, thoroughbred and Tswana-breed, for the Derby’s largest ever grand prize of P500,000. MYSC principal programs officer, Godfrey Bose said the Ministry contributed significantly to the total grand prize in a bid to support the local horse racing industry. “The prize money goes up to P500,000 for both the thoroughbred and Tswana breed categories. MYSC is sponsoring the Tswana breed horses for P250,000.” Mascom brand manager, Malebogo Sesinyi said the cellular phone services provider has been and continues to be a major supporter of the arts industry.
The Derby races will be preceded by the Mascom Derby Fashion show on April 15 to showcase local artistic talent. “I am pleased to announce that Franco will be the main music performing act at the Derby on the 16th of April 2022, and Daito Seiko will be the main performing act for the Mascom Fashion show on the 15th of April,” Sesinyi said.
Sesinyi added that Loungo Pitse and Sadie Dikgaka will also be appearing as the main influencers for the Fashion Show at Cresta Maun Hotel on April 15, while Fashion without Borders co-founder, Tebo Bakwena-Kabisoso, will host a modelling workshop for young aspiring models. Mdanwhile, Mascom chief communications and public relations officer, Tebogo Lebotse-Sebego said the event had left a void after the cancellation of the last two editions. “We were heartbroken when we had to cancel the Derby in 2020, it was one of the first major events to get cancelled in 2020 and then again in 2021.
For some of us Easter meant going to Maun just to enjoy the Derby.” “I’m very excited for Mascom to get back to interacting with our customers and the community after two years of no action,” Lebotse-Sebego added. COVID-19 protocols will be observed for the event, as Lebotse-Sebego noted that only people with proof of full vaccination or people with negative rapid tests not more than 24 hours old will be permitted to attend the event. Tickets are available now on WebTicket for P70 for adults, and P30 for children.