Q. What is Wine & Soul and what inspired it?
A. Wine & Soul is a premium lifestyle experience that brings together fine wine, soulful music, curated food, and authentic storytelling in beautiful, outdoor spaces. The idea was born out of a desire to build a wine culture in Botswana that reflects both global sophistication and local pride. I’ve always believed that wine, music, and food aren’t just indulgences—they’re connectors. They bring people together, ignite conversations, and create lasting memories.
Wine & Soul was first held in Johannesburg, where we noticed a strong appetite for curated events that felt intentional, inclusive, and elevated. The natural next step was to bring the experience back home to Botswana, and in 2024we launched our debut edition to a sold-out crowd.
Q.Why is this event important for Botswana right now?
A.Botswana has a growing audience of professionals, creatives, and cultural consumers between the ages of 28 to 50—and they’ve been historically underserved when it comes to lifestyle offerings that truly speak to their sensibilities. Wine & Soul fills that gap. It provides a sophisticated, yet accessible space for people who appreciate craft, connection, and community.
What’s exciting this year is that Wine & Soul has become more than a local event—it’s now a cultural export opportunity and a soft power tool for tourism. We’re expecting a sizable group of guests coming in from South Africa, many of them entrepreneurs, creatives, and social influencers. Because the event takes place on a Sunday, we’re seeing people plan full weekenders—arriving Friday, exploring Gaborone’s restaurants, local art, retail, and nature spots, then wrapping it all up with Wine & Soul on Sunday. That’s the kind of ripple effect we love to see.
Q.What makes this year’s edition different or more elevated?
A.This year’s theme is “The Curated Vineyard”, and we’re raising the bar on every level—from the wine selections to the culinary pairings, from décor to digital storytelling. We’ve moved to Jules Delight Nursery and Tea Garden, which is not only a stunning garden venue but also the exclusive distributor of Hazendal Wines and Mosi Wines in Botswana. That partnership means we’re working with award-winning wine brands, curated specifically for this audience.
Our musical lineup is led by Botswana’s finest—the soulful Mpho Sebina, and internationally acclaimed DJ and TV personality Oneal, who’s flown the Botswana flag on global stages. They’ll be joined by top local entertainers like DJ Kellz, Chief Rocka, Mr. O, and Shimroc, who are easily on par with the best in the region. What’s special is that the performances are intimate and interactive—artists don’t just play to the crowd, they play with them.
Q.Who is the event really for?
A.Wine & Soul is for the discerning, curious, and culturally aware—people who choose experiences over excess, who enjoy great conversation, who love discovering new wine labels and hearing live music that stirs the spirit.
Our core demographic is 28 to 50 years old, and they’ve outgrown the nightclub scene but still want to connect and celebrate life in meaningful ways. This is where Wine & Soul comes in—creating space for that lifestyle to be celebrated right here in Botswana.
Q.What impact do you hope this event will have on the broader community and economy?
A.Wine & Soul is more than just a day out—it’s a driver of local economic activity. We work with local chefs, small businesses, wine distributors, furniture suppliers, visual artists, and entertainers. The event also introduces international audiences to Gaborone as a lifestyle destination, which adds value to the tourism ecosystem.
We want this to be something Botswana is proud of—an event that contributes to how the country is seen and experienced. We may not be a wine-producing country, but we can certainly become one of the most vibrant wine-loving communities on the continent.
Wine & Soul: The Curated Vineyard takes place on Sunday, 18 May 2025 at Jules Delight Nursery and Tea Garden. Tickets are BWP 650 and include curated wine tastings and gourmet floating canapés.
For more, follow @wineandsoulglobal on Instagram.
