Botswana’s entertainment scene has a new main character. Offsite Sessions isn’t chasing bigger crowds or louder stages, it’s turning the country’s most unexpected places into its hottest cultural conversations, one secret location at a time
GOSEGO MOTSUMI
If Botswana’s lifestyle calendar were a group chat, someone just typed “Offsite Sessions has entered the chat.” And suddenly, everyone’s paying attention.
Launched by Native Events, Offsite Sessions made its debut as the kind of event people are still talking about days later, not because of flashy production or oversized crowds, but because it dares to ask a simple question: what if the venue was the star too?
The timing made the launch even more significant. Edition 001 marked three milestones at once — the birth of the series itself, a brand refresh for Native Events, and the 36th birthday of the company’s founder.
WHERE THE VIBE LIVES
Forget predictable concert grounds. Offsite Sessions is built around uncovering Botswana’s overlooked gems and transforming them into intimate music, culture and lifestyle experiences.
“We wanted to reintroduce those places through music, curated storytelling and thoughtful event design,” Brand and Communications Officer Gauta Eyman told Time Out.
Each destination is chosen with one guiding principle: can this place tell a story? Whether it’s a dam, a heritage site or an unexpected outdoor setting, the landscape doesn’t compete with the music but rather it amplifies it.
“The location isn’t simply where the event happens. It becomes an essential part of the story.”
For its debut edition, that location was the banks behind Gaborone Dam. Facing the Gaborone skyline through open water with a perfectly fitted jetty, it revealed a version of the capital that few had ever seen.
MORE THAN A GIG
The experience begins before the first note is played. Guests board dedicated shuttles, meet fellow attendees and share conversation before arriving at the site, setting the tone for an event designed around connection rather than chaos.
With intentionally limited numbers, the atmosphere feels less like a festival and more like an invitation into an exclusive cultural moment. Artists are closer, conversations flow more easily and every edition unfolds with its own distinct creative identity.
“Every session is designed to feel collectible, with each location becoming part of the story rather than simply the venue,” Eyman explained.
Edition 001 featured five local artists, Basho Vision, ThuliTools, BeeTee 4701, Jembesoul and I Am Akeem Using, performing across a six-hour afternoon session that moved from midday into golden hour. Each set was recorded in full and will be released on the Offsite Sessions YouTube channel across the coming weeks.
THE NEXT CHAPTER
Offsite Sessions isn’t interested in becoming Botswana’s biggest music festival. It’s chasing something far more memorable.
Future editions will travel across the country, revealing new landscapes while creating opportunities for artists, creatives and local businesses. Sustainability is woven into the blueprint from the beginning.
“Following the successful launch of Offsite Sessions 001, we’re already planning the next edition. Details of the location, artist line-up and event date will be announced soon through our dedicated event marketing platform,” Eyman said.