Over the past few months, I have been amazed by the journey that Sephonono has taken. What began as a collection of songs from my heart has grown into something much bigger than I imagined. Every stream, every message from a listener, every interview, and every performance has encouraged me to think about the next chapter.
That next chapter may well be Gauteng South Africa.
I have recently been spending time planning what a Gauteng showcase tour might look like. The concept is an exciting one: a seven-event jazz residency across Pretoria, Sandton, Braamfontein and Soweto, designed to introduce my music to new audiences while building stronger cultural connections between Botswana and South Africa.
The idea is not simply to visit Gauteng for one concert and return home. Instead, it is about creating a meaningful presence in the region. The proposed programme would take Sephonono into a variety of venues and communities, culminating in a finale performance at the renowned Hugh’s Jazz Club to follow in the footsteps of the great Hugh Masakela.
As an artist, Gauteng has always held a special attraction for me. It is home to a rich jazz tradition and some of the most passionate music audiences on the continent. To perform there would not only be an opportunity to share my music, but also to learn from fellow musicians, venue owners, promoters and audiences who live and breathe jazz.
What excites me most is the possibility of taking Botswana’s musical story beyond our borders. I have always believed that music is a universal language. When I perform songs such as Sephonono, I am sharing experiences, memories and emotions that are deeply rooted in who I am and where I come from. The thought of sharing those stories with audiences in Pretoria and Johannesburg is both exciting and humbling.
The proposed residency is expected to reach around 1000 audience members across Johannesburg and Pretoria. While numbers are important, what matters even more to me is the opportunity to connect with people face to face. Some may hear my music for the first time. Others may already know a song or two from streaming platforms. Either way, live performance creates a connection that cannot be replicated online.
Of course, taking a project of this scale on the road requires careful planning. Venues, musicians, travel, accommodation, marketing and sponsorship all have to come together. So if you want to help just drop me a line or a WhatsApp at 00267 72840657.
At this stage, nothing is finalised. We are still planning, discussing possibilities and exploring partnerships. But sometimes the most exciting part of any journey is the dreaming and preparation that happen before the first note is played.
Whether the tour happens this year or next, I am encouraged by the possibilities. Sephonono was never meant to sit quietly in a studio. It was created to travel, to connect people and to tell stories.
And who knows? Perhaps before long, I will be standing on a jazz stage somewhere in Gauteng, sharing these songs with a new audience and beginning another beautiful chapter in the life of Sephonono. ❤️
Nnunu Ramogotsi
Jazz Vocalist | Songwriter | Storyteller
Nnunu Ramogotsi: Africa's Jewel 