Vee Fills Up Stanbic Bank Piazza
Sharon Mathala | Monday December 12, 2016 18:00
Organisers confirmed that they had managed to meet their target of literally filling up the area, which is said can accommodate around 4,000 people (standing).
Vee, who has over 13 years in the music industry, has with his latest album become the first Motswana to be signed under internationally recognised record label Universal Music.
As he has made it a norm, his album launch also featured some of Botswana’s greatest on the line up. All the biggest names in the local music industry came out on Saturday to support the I do hit maker.
Among the performances it was King Monada of the trending hit song, Oska bora moreki fame. Although most of his songs were seemingly unknown to the audience, he really kick-started the mood on the night. As expected his chart topping single shook the Molapo Stanbic Piazza, which was starting to fill up.
The recipient of the Botswana Musicians Union (BOMU) song of the year, Mlesho also dished out a splendid performance. He belted out a few of his singles closing his set with the famous Tlhomela track. The song has managed to put Mlesho back in the game this year, receiving much appreciation across the country, keeping the man very busy.
As the performances went by, the crowd seemed to get a little impatient, Vee who was earlier scheduled to perform at around 1am only got on stage just before 3am.
Dressed in all white, Vee was finally on the stage. The crowd could not contain themselves as he performed his songs from his decade and a quarter musical journey. The crowd connected with every song from Sekukuni, Zaza, Go swa motho to Baba. Half way through the performance, he was joined on stage by BanT and the two jointly performed the three time Yarona Fm Music award winner’s hit single Naomi.
Vee had earlier mentioned that he would be dedicating the album launch to his departed friend, Sfiso Ncwane. The gospel singer was also scheduled to perform on Saturday at Vee’s launch before he died from a kidney failure early last week.
Vee and Mercy performed their tribute rendition of Kulungile baba to Ncwane before he closed the set with his title track I do.
Notably, South Africa’s socialite and actress Kanyi Mbau was nowhere to be seen at the event. Mbau who was also guest appearing and was to introduce the man of the moment. Organisers however explained to Showtime that Mbau was at the event but was not able to introduce Vee due to an “illness”. But it would seem that Mbau was on the same date an MC at Metro Fm show dubbed MetroFm heatwaveEL in South Africa.
A downside was when four men were arrested by the security personnel at the event, for possession of a gun and live ammunition. No one was harmed as the men were whisked away from the venue.