20 years later Brown Sugar returns to the stage

Slated to perform alongside Yvonne Chaka Chaka at the second edition of Waar Was jy

GOSEGO MOTSUMI

After a 20 year music hiatus, Botswana’s first, official female pop group Brown Sugar will be performing alongside music veteran, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and DJ Boogie Sid at the next Waar Was jy slated for 3rd, August 2018 at Botswana Craft. Brown Sugar has not been active since the second half of the year 2000 and are reared up to share their love for the sound that defined the emergence of mainstream pop music in the country.
“Even if it means chasing karaoke nights and open mic sessions to fill the void of performing, we are coming back, not just for the love of music but to nourish the passion that never faded over the past 20 years. Plus, we had a lot of fans who appreciated our music and they still want to hear it,” group member Thato Moahi told Time Out.
Brown Sugar started in 1998, initially fronted by Matshidiso Thathana and Okhola Rudd before any music was recorded. Rudd moved to Australia to study and Bonolo Leteane was invited to stand in her spot. They were soon joined by Monkgogi Mandevu, Thato Moahi and Keeditse Onana Tema who helped manage them to their debut album Dayz Like Thiz.
The album was released in 1998 and was produced by the legendary Solomon Solo B Monyame. Sung and performed by Matshidiso Thathana, Bonolo Leteane and Monkgogi Mandevu. Dayz Like Thiz gained massive appeal through performances at the seminal Monate Sukiri Jam tour and the Carling Black Label tour among others. The group went on to perform internationally at the Woza ‘98 festival held at FNB stadium in South Africa alongside Boom Shaka, Trompies, TKZ and Bongo Muffin.
In May 2000 Brown Sugar released their second album titled Botho, vocalised and and performed by Matshidiso Thathana, Bonolo Leteane, Thato Moahi with production by Solo B, joined by equally legendary David Skizo Molosi. Their hit songs Dayz Like Thiz, La Bafana, Motho Ke Motho ka Batho, Never Believe and Happy are certain to take Batswana fans down memory lane.