In an effort to bolster environmental awareness in Botswana and the world, particularly focused on issues related to transboundary water resources, local artists Tomeletso Sereetsi and Gaone Rantlhoiwa collaborated with international NGO Conservation Music on a song and music video which is an ode to beauty and fragility of the Okavango river and its riparian communities .
“Conservation Music empowers local musicians of various traditions to spur conservation and humanitarian change through musical collaboration, thoughtful and informative composition in local languages, and multimedia production for broadcast on national TV and radio outlets,” Sereetsi told Time Out, adding that Conservation Music promotes musical media that educates listeners in conservation and sustainability, with an emphasis on rural communities.
Sereetsi said they started writing and recording the music in Gaborone about three weeks ago and proceeded to the Okavango Delta where they spent a week fine tuning the song and shooting the music video. “The song has not been titled yet. It underscores the importance of communities along the Okavango river from Angola, Namibia to Botswana to live together harmoniously and work together to ensure that they relate with the resource in a sustainable manner,” he said.
Conservation Music posted snippets from the upcoming music video recorded in the Okavango Delta. “Artists Tomeletso Sereetsi and Gaone Rantlhoiwa share the importance of transboundary water resources as they ride a traditional mokoro through the Okavango Delta. We cherished the expedition with our new friends, great music and phenomenal scenery throughout the trip. Thanks to everyone who made this possible!” they relayed on their social media page.
Local artists collaborate to conserve nature
