Africa-Press – Botswana. Before the lights hit the stage and the first beat drops at the Royal Aria Stadium here’s an exclusive glimpse into what promises to be one of Botswana’s most immersive cultural festivals.
The Stanbic Bank Music-N-Lifestyle Festival preview, held this past weekend at Park 27 in Gaborone, offered patrons a foretaste of the bold creativity and electric energy that’s coming. It featured a vivid exhibition by local artists, mouthwatering culinary previews, a fashion collaboration, and the kind of music that will define the soul of the festival.
Rich creative tapestry
“In creating this festival, we’re creating a stage – both literal and symbolic – for Botswana’s incredible creative voices,” said Stephanie Sandridge, Head of Brand & Marketing at Stanbic Bank at the event.
From artists and designers to musicians and curators, the event is envisioned as a vibrant convergence of talent and storytelling, cementing Botswana’s place on the global cultural map.
Set for Saturday 26 April 2025, the main event promises to celebrate every corner of Botswana’s rich creative tapestry – with sights, sounds and tastes that will bring the spirit of the nation to life.
A multiple sensory experience
Guests will be treated to performances from iconic continental legends like TKZee, Sun-El Musician, and Mthunzi, alongside Botswana’s most beloved talents in Han C, Charma Gal, Banjo Mosele and Mpho Sebina, among others.
The lineup doesn’t end there – a curated DJ selection will keep the rhythm alive across multiple zones while festival-goers can also explore immersive art spaces, interactive lifestyle activations, fashion runways, and gourmet food stalls. Whether you’re there to dance, dine, discover or simply be inspired, this festival promises something for everyone.
The festival is more than just a cultural event but a strategic investment in Botswana’s creative economy. Otsile Marole, Marketing Manager for Client Segments at Stanbic, emphasised the bank’s broader vision thus: “We are filling the gap in the creative sector by leveraging our influence as a financial institution to inject energy, visibility and resources into an under-capitalised space.
By Batswana for Batswana
“The Stanbic Bank Music-N-Lifestyle Festival is aligned with Letsema 2025, a roadmap that not only aims to meet financial goals but to generate shared value and sustainable growth for all. From policy to performance, the festival is rooted in nation-building, economic empowerment and cultural preservation.”
At its heart, the festival is a bold declaration of local pride. “We are not importing culture – we are exporting Botswana’s own,” said Marole. “From the local lineup of artists to the selection of food vendors and production crews, this is a festival by Batswana for Batswana.
“This isn’t a one-off celebration but a long-term vision in the making. Stanbic Bank aims to turn the festival into a pillar of cultural tourism, boosting the economy by engaging hotels, transport, vendors and creatives, thus putting Botswana on the regional and continental festival circuit.”
Platforms with purpose
Every ticket sold becomes a channel for community investment, with proceeds contributing to the bank’s CSI pillars of Employability, Entrepreneurship, Health, and Education under its Social, Economic and Environmental (SEE) agenda.
Far beyond the main stage, the festival grounds will feature dedicated spaces designed to uplift, empower and connect:
Marketplace Zones where small businesses can reach thousands.
Content Creation Pods for digital influencers and storytellers.
Wellness and Reflection Zones for mindfulness and meaningful interaction.
By curating spaces for growth and connection, Stanbic is not just entertaining – the bank is enabling by creating possibility platforms for people to take their next big leap forward.
Just days to go
With just days to go, Innocent Molato, Manager of Digital & Interactive Marketing at Stanbic, summed up the energy perfectly. “The road to the Festival has officially begun,” he said.
Behind the scenes, every touchpoint – from the staging to the digital experiences – is being fine-tuned to reflect the excellence, integrity and innovation that defines Stanbic Bank.
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