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From 6 July 2006, a graphic version of the current edition is available at the Daily News Online web site.

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South Africa’s Dan Tshanda of Dalom Music should have such a hand while visually impaired Botshelo should have seen the need.

The two stars together with other artists from Dalom stable, Matshikos, Patricia Majalisa, Dalom Kids, Silk Voices and Montana are currently on a national charity tour to raise funds for Thuto Boswa School for children with disabilities in Ramotswa.

Dan Tshanda told BOPA at Molapowabojang Recreational Park where they performed last Saturday that he was pleased to give something back to Batswana who have always supported him.

“Batswana have always appreciated me and they always come in large numbers to my shows. In fact, I have more fans here than in South Africa and I feel very much part of them and it is my duty to help them in their time of need,” the Soweto-born star said.

The “Hit Machine” said that he had earlier intended donating the money to AIDS patients but Thuto Boswa approached him first.

Tshanda, who could not complete his primary education having only gone as far as Standard Four because his parents could not afford to pay for his education, says he is especially happy to help other people get a decent education.

“I donate to help others because I suffered a lot and I know what suffering is all about. Education is important. I might have not been able to go far in education but I must help others to realise their dreams,” he said.

He has already donated money to help street kids in South Africa and to another charity organisation in Zimbabwe.

He has vowed to continue helping Batswana and intends setting up a recording studio in this country to help local musicians to record their music cheaply.

“I am still doing research to see if there is enough talent here to support that studio because I would not like it to become a white elephant,” he said.

The Splash lead singer, however, is worried about some local musicians “pirating his music.” He says that he would like the pirates to approach him.

“I do not want them to pay me a single thebe, I just want to show them how to do it right because there are now distorting my songs,” he said.

Dan has recently released two albums for Matshikos and Splash entitled “Happy man” and “Setlhopha” respectively.

Asked what the titles meant, Dan was quick to say “I am a happy man because I am progressing well and Setlhopha is dedicated to Batswana because that is what they send for my band and I like it.” A soccer fanatic, Dan says he is still considering investing money in local football. He used to be a 60 per cent shareholder at South African First Division side Silver Stars but quit due to internal squabbles.

He is not bothered by the fact that there is no professional league in this country, hence the love returns.

“When you make an investment you can not expect the results within a short time. You just have to be patient,” he said.

Our own Donald Botshelo says he is also delighted to be part of the touring team.

At Recreational Park in Molapowabojang, Botshelo kept repeating on stage that “as a disabled person I am very proud to help other disabled people and I thank all the people who are attending these shows.” The man who is popularly known for his hit track “Bananyana ba Serowe” shook the crowd with some of his songs when he took the stage. With his melodious voice and cheery lyrics, Botshelo has always been a fans favourite and when he dished out his popular “Rebapala le bashanyana” dedicated to the national soccer team, booze was forgotten for some time as revellers danced cheerfully.

He released the song after the Zebras won the four nations cup in 2001.

Donald stated his career with the band called ‘Lentswe la batlhoka pono’ composed of visually impaired persons except for one, but he went solo in 2000. He went on to release two hot selling albums.

Sadly, ‘Lentswe la batlhoka pono’ seems to have died a natural death after the departure of talented Botshelo.

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