Youth broadcaster; Yarona FM has announced that it Would host the first Yarona FM Music Awards on 22 November 2014 to recognize and celebrate excellence in local music.This would be part of the station’s 15th Anniversary celebrations.Yarona FM Station Manager David Moepeng says the awards come as part of the radio station’s efforts to play a meaningful role in the development and growth of a vibrant and commercially viable music industry that started back in 1999, when the Station went to air.

Moepeng added “Botswana’s music industry has made tremendous strides since 1999 when we gave promising musicians such as Vee, Scar, Zeus and many others a chance to be heard.Today most of these artists have built successful careers and it is these achievements that we want to celebrate through the awards.”According to Moepeng, Yarona FM’s contribution to the growth of the music industry has come in many ways including live talent shows such as Sprite Rap Activity Jam, Scramble for Africa, play listing unreleased music and sponsoring artists to release albums.We believe our efforts over the years have been successful and that the time is right to celebrate” says Moepeng.

Yarona FM has always provided support to Batswana artists by availing platforms, on the airwaves and through concerts, for them to showcase their talent” added Moepeng.The Station’s commitment to local music is reflected in the amount of music that is play listed at close to 40%. Yarona FM has also toped surveys and scooped awards such as LILAC Media Awards for “playing excellent music” in 2012 and 2014.The 2013 Broadcasting Sector Audience Survey commissioned by Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) also ranked Yarona FM 1st in music.

Speaking further on the awards, Moepeng indicated that the awards would base its nominations and selection process on the station’s playlist and chart show.Nominees would be announced on 22 August.
A committee has been set up to monitor and assess the process according to the set criteria; nonetheless the public would be allowed to vote through SMS lines as per the different categories.


  The following categories will be featured in this year’s awards:
1.    BEST DANCE ARTIST
2.    BEST KWAITO ARTIST
3.    BEST HIP HOP & MOTSWAKO ARTIST
4.    BEST HOUSE DJ
5.    BEST HIP HOP DJ
6.    LEGENDARY ARTIST
7.    LEGENDARY DJ
8.    LEGENDARY BROADCASTER
9.    BEST NEWCOMER
10.    SONG OF THE YEAR
11.    ARTIST OF THE YEAR
12.    BEST HOUSE-KWASA ARTIST
13.    SOCIAL MEDIA AWARD
14.    MOST PROFESSIONAL ARTIST
(Station Manager’s Special Award)
15.    BEST FEMALE ARTIST