Ratie is My Star 2024 winner
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Sunday May 19, 2024 06:00
The Molepolole native also won herself a scholarship. Kgoboeng, who is also known as Ratie, taken from her middle name Oratile, told Arts&Culture that despite her talent, she had never thought of winning the My Star competition in her lifetime. “I never thought I would win the My Star competition.
It can only be by the Grace of God and I am really lost for words to explain just how honoured I am to hold such a prestigious title. The prize money I won and the scholarship will really be of great help and will improve the lives of people around me. I really love children with special needs and as a PTA secretary at Ledumang Primary School Special Education Department, I would love to help them out a little in the future,” she said.
Kgobeng said her music career started upon completing school in 2019 when she decided to join the mighty Kgalemang Tumediso Motsete (KTM) Choir. She loved singing from a tender age and often sang at church and school. She said she finally decided to do something with her God-given talent and decided to try her luck in the local talent search singing competition, My Star, and surprisingly came out as a star.
Kgobeng further said entering the competition, she thought she could use the platform to improve in a lot of ways while developing as an artist. In addition, she said the talent show opened doors for her and made her meet new people who she believes will be a good addition to her musical journey. She explained that even though she has not signed up with any record label and does not have a manager yet, her fans must expect a single or album in the near future. Kgobeng added that she hopes and believes she would make it in the music industry because of the support Batswana gave her. “Having to sing different genres every week was a bit challenging and having to campaign and ask people to vote to help me stay in the competition. But the challenges definitely helped me grow in the competition.
I see myself as a big brand in the next few years and hopefully making it big and being recognised internationally, raising the Botswana flag higher and higher,” she said. “I am grateful to my sponsors AbbyUrbanBeauty (make-up), Golden Allure(Outfit) and Zod Media House (Photography) for supporting me throughout this My Star journey and helping me become a flawless star. Also a very big thank you to my family and friends for their unwavering support. 'I have never thought of giving up. My confidence is at the highest level and I do not get shaken easily.
I love trying new things and will never give up until I make things work as I continue to work towards a better future,” she further said. On other matters, she advised aspiring artists who want to join the talent show in the future not to hesitate but to go for it. She described My Star as a beautiful platform that would help them grow and open doors for them. She added that she is available for bookings for any kind of event, be it weddings, parties and all sorts of celebrations.