User:Ontymaroks
HELLO THERE!!
My name is Ontumetse Prince Marokane born in the town of [Molepolole] in [[[Botswana]]] some years ago. Im a passionate [Gospel musician] who writes all sorts of gospel music. I have been an art teacher for 15 years and Im a fine artist who uses all sorts of media for painting. Also im a graphic designer.
Currently working for ministry of education as Principal Education Officer for Media and Evalution. This job includes above all overseing Computer studies and Computer awareness subjects, Designing and Formating of support materials done for printing for all schools levels this includes syllabuses and teachers guides (Preprimary, primary and Secondary School
and distribution of all educational materials and also a steward of IT related materials and Equipment.
My passions also include writting though still to publish.
As an educationalist and Artist i will be willing to share with other educationalits and artists all over the world.
AN ARTICLE ABOUT GOSPEL MUSIC IN BOTSWANA
For a long time the radio waves in Botswana were over growded with meldis sounds from else where, the nation yearned for its own the voice the church walls screamed for the locally produced melody. It happened in the yaer 1996 when some [Batswana] born begain to heed the call. Some of the gospelvoice that had previously been heard on radio took to the Recording studios in South Africa and did something for the nation. Some of these musicians include : Isaac Blesskit, Bafana Pheto, Mmereke Marakakgoro, the Saints. With pride Batswana and zeal [Batswana] embraced the new Gospel trends. The music recorded sounded good and original even though some accepted it with some reservations. It wasn't long before a lot of other young gospel artists followed suit but they didnt put more efforts to quality and marketing. The music produced started to flactuate in quality some good some still raw and this wasnt helped by some recording studios that were only interested in making quick money paying little attention to quality.
Within a short period of time the gospel music industry in Botswana stated to seriously decline and even the good music done by other gospel musicians got drowned and bearly saw the light of the day People began to choose common names rather than the good music. Today we still many young gospel musicians still recording albums some unaware but busy advertising already prominent Gospel Musicians like Rebeca Malope by singing like her.
The [Botswana] market also been small because of its population is now over flooded by new trends of music like Hiphop, Kwaito, Rumba etc and this have diverted many possible clients from buying gospel music.
== IS THERE ANY HOPE ==
Due to international trends of doing Praise and worship music, Botswana has got the fire and many churches have now started to take music serious by introducing fully fleshed church bands at times employing full time professional musicians.
The dream is if the young generation of gospel musicians can cash the fire and take music serious then the rare rythms of Botswana gospel artists will be heard and recognised. This is so considering that guys like [Prince Marokane] and others are keen on original music and also considering that we now have good recording studios like Chankieland Music and Arts. If the up coming musians can see the value of working together and collaborate in projects it will be possible and easier for the public to take them serious.
As the government is making efforts to encourage localisation the gospel musicians and the their followers must do more to fully utilise this oppurtunity that comes once in alife time.