Ntsoro's Mokaragana job on the line?

MONKAGEDI GAOTLHABOGWE
Staff Writer | Tuesday August 5, 2008 00:00

 

Botswana Television (Btv) has been running the advert, inviting people to audition as presenters of the Saturday evening music show, Mokaragana, where Joel Keitumele has made a name for himself since taking over from another hit presenter Miso Mega V Mmereki, last March.

However, Ntsoro, who recently released an audio recording of the jokes he normally presents on the music show, told Showbiz that he does not know anything about the latest call for auditions. 'Nobody has told me anything at work about the auditions, but I suppose management is looking for a co-presenter for me. I have never had a co-presenter since I joined, you know.'

Ntsoro added: 'Maybe they are looking for a standby presenter so that in cases of illness, someone does the programme on my behalf, these are just my assumptions because I do not know anything,' Ntsoro said in a telephone interview on Saturday.

Asked to say if he fears his job may be on the line, Ntsoro expressed optimism, ' I am not leaving television. My contract expires in October. I cannot say why they have decided to conduct the auditions. I believe I am in good books.

I am very close to my producer. She always tells me people are impressed with my show. No one seems to have a problem with me.'

Ntsoro stated: 'Even the sponsors are very happy with my show. They engage me in their Orange parties as master of ceremonies (MC), they are very happy with me. They usually come to the recoding of the show, just to enjoy themselves', said Ntsoro.

Meanwhile, Btv General Manager, Banyana Segwe, said the intention is not to replace Ntsoro with another presenter. 'We are very, very happy with Joel. He has branded this show, and the sponsors love it very much. However, we need to recruit a stand-by presenter. We once had a problem when Joel could not record Mokaragana due to personal engagements. We do not want to find ourselves in a similar situation again, hence our decision to recruit for a standby presenter,' Segwe told Showbiz.

Only time will tell whether Ntsoro's optimism is misplaced. Who could have believed that Btv management would one day ditch the previous presenter of Mokaragana, Miso 'Mega V' Mmereki!  However, just as many were saying the energetic Mega V would be irreplaceable, Ntsoro  was spotted and the man  made everyone eat from his palms with his endless banter.