The annual multi-disciplinary event, which is held in Gaborone around September, normally comprises activities such as Fitness and Aerobics, Jazz, music festival, Champagne Picnic, Theatre, Choral, Poetry, Comedy and Clap ’n Tap.
However, this year there will be six activities after the organisers dropped the popular music festival, theatre and choral components. Despite this unpopular decision, Thapelo ‘Fish’ Pabalinga, who is the brain behind the event, told Arts & Culture that “the 2023 edition will be more exciting. “The GIMC 2023 preparations are on point. We have six shows this year and all of them will be exciting to watch. The six shows are Fitness and Aerobics, Jazz, Champagne Picnic, Poetry, Comedy and Clap ’n Tap,” Pabalinga said.
He also explained that the decision to ditch the music festival was due to the unavailability of a suitable venue commensurate with the size of the crowd that always attends the festival.
Over the years, the GIMC music festival has always been held at the National Stadium. In 2017, the GIMC music festival ended tragically after a young woman died as a result of a stampede at one of the gates. Pabalinga has shot down insinuations that the GIMC is anchored around the music festival and as such could suffer in popularity.
“The GIMC has always been a bouquet of shows happening daily within a week. Yes, the music festival drew more people naturally because it’s popular amongst the youth, but equally so those who attend and look forward to other shows enjoy attending them,” he explained. He continued: “There is not one show that’s more senior to the other or a main event as if one loves comedy or they love Clap ’n Tap they will always look forward to it and attend the specific show”. Festivities for this year’s edition of GIMC will commence with Fitness and Aerobics on August 25, followed by the Jazz Festival and Champagne Picnic on the 26 and 27 respectively. The Poetry Show will happen on August 30, followed by a Comedy Show on August 31 before the Clap ‘n Tap wraps up the festivities on September 1.
Among the big-name creatives who will feature during this year’s activities include singers Zonke, Socca Moruakgomo, Vusi Nova as well as Banjo Mosele who will thrill the audience during the jazz show.
Local comedians Triccs, Jonny Pula will join Chester Missing and Tipps Shampoo for a rib-cracking comedy night. Pabalinga stated that their sponsors for this year’s GIMC are Pepsi, L’Oréal, Danone, LoSHA Bush Lodge, Heinz Spices and Garnier. He said plans are also underway for the GIMC 10th anniversary in 2024, as they want to make it even bigger. “GIMC will reach a milestone of 10 years next year and to celebrate that we will see Golf Days, Charity Soccer Challenges and many activities leading to the main week in September 2024. From then we will announce the future of GIMC. 2023 is our ninth edition and we can’t wait for the 10th edition next year,” he said
