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Artist Wants His Portrait on Country's CoinAug 26, 2009 (Mmegi/The Reporter/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) -- In what may be seen as a search for self-actualisation, Afro-Pop artist Dr Vom, born Kangangwana Mogocha, wants to have his portrait included on the Botswana currency. The artist, who has been in the industry close to a decade, sings Dikhwaere and his 2007 Thobane album took the nation by storm, as it became a household song. The muso has released a new album, titled Ke Tshwana Le Moshe, in which he claims to have contributed immensely to the arts in Botswana through his music. He says that he popularised Dikhwaere, a form of music, which is popular during ceremonies, especially at Christmas among rural folk. Dr Vom adds that he took the music, which had been undocumented before and put it on compact disc and cassettes for wider circulation and appreciation by Batswana and other music lovers across the borders.In track two, Ke Tshwana Le Moshe, he implores the government to put his portrait on the currency to recognise his contribution. It is not unusual in arts circles for artists to ask to be rewarded either in monetary terms or by other material means. In the past poets were known to ask for a cow or goat from chiefs after reciting a praise poem about them. Perhaps as a sign of the modern times, that back then when Botswana was largely an agrarian society where the society depended on cattle and goats for a living, hence it was fitting that an artist asked to be rewarded with a goat or cow for his/her services. Now Dr Vom wants to have his portrait on the banknotes so that he also gets appreciated. In Botswana this is an honour reserved for a sitting president, former great leaders and heroes. Some of them are the three chiefs who spearheaded Botswana's independence: Khama III, Sebele and Bathoen. Founding president Sir Seretse Khama also has a portrait on the P50 banknote. Perhaps, Dr Vom's request is inspired by the fact that National Anthem composer Dr KT Motsete was honoured when his portrait was put on the P20 banknote. In an interview with Showbiz, Mogocha said that he is simply asking to be including "at least on the coins. I know the notes are for the big guns". He says that the powers that be could probably replace the mophane worm on the P5 coin with his portrait. The mophane worm is a delicacy that is found mostly in northern Botswana, where Dr Vom hails from. He says that the worm is not as important as his contribution to the national development of the arts in Botswana.In the song Mogocha he says that artists should be recognised for their efforts dedicated at uplifting the arts in Botswana. He says that by their works they help in documenting Botswana's culture through music and exporting it to other nations, something, which has helped in opening up the country to the community of nations in this globalised world. Other songs are Le Fa Go Le Thata, Mokatisi, Dumelang, Dr Vom ke Senganga and Ditoro. In his 'Dr Vom ke senganga' the muso goes on a self-praise mode, waxing lyrical about his musical prowess. The song says Dr Vom is so good at singing such that you would think a guitar is playing when he sings. The album is produced at Choonlabz, whilst the sleeve design was done at JJ Graphix. When he spoke to Showbiz, Dr Vom said that he hoped that "this time after working so hard in the music industry and releasing so many albums, that finally I would reap something out of it. This album has to sell and from the way it has been packaged I hope it really catapults me to real stardom, where I would also reap the fruits of my labour". |