THE COURAGEOUS & UNDISPUTED Loungo Andre Pitse
Born January 4th 1989 a Capricorn who is vibrant, fun, smart, confident, ambitious and very outgoing, an academic who loves what he does and commits himself wholeheartedly. Loungo Andre Pitse aka KingBee is a fearless and electric entertainer, a media king and a broadcasting mogul in the making.
He is also a TV and radio personality, possibly one of the best to ever be produced from the land of diamonds, Botswana.
He said with a smile, “I fell in love with broadcasting years ago, thank God for YO-TV and self-discovery because you can’t go wrong with an authentic personality.”
We remember you hosting the 2019 YAMA’s alongside South Africa’s Bonang Matheba, was it a dream come true for you?
It was a little bit surreal because, I mean it was Bonang. Everyone in my circle knows I look up to Ryan Seacrest and B. Ryan is an unstoppable force and I aspire to be more like him one day. Bonang’s work ethic is undeniable and it should be celebrated. She is a talented individual who carries so much life when she does her job. Matheba is also a global brand and has hosted some of the biggest events on the African Continent. I got to share and learn a lot from her at the Yama’s. I mean look at God’s work, I think I have revolutionized TV presenting and my style is and will always be unique. I believe you can be a black child with a wonderful dream and when you work extra hard, surround yourself with the right people and perfect that craft your star will shine. Everyone should let the talent God Has bestowed upon them be seen, if it is meant to be yours then so be it.
A lot has been said about you, what is that one thing that we all don’t know about you?
I am extremely shy, but if I am getting paid, trust me it disappears lol.
Being a Master’s Degree holder from the University of Botswana, do you think education is still considered valuable in today’s socio-economical life of influencers?
I am an academic, I was fortunate to have parents who could afford to send me to some of the best schools in the country. I understand the value of education and YES I am for it. Times have changed and a lot of young people are taking a different route, but I always say, stick to school, have something to fall back on in case things do not work out with social media and all that. No one can ever go wrong with education especially if you study and do what you love not what your parents want. Eventually you can turn that passion into something that earns you money at your own time. You know, it is always a wonderful thing to be your own Boss.
In your opinion, how would you measure growth of entertainment diligence in Botswana?
It is very stagnant but it has potential. In Botswana one thing that kills or destroys the entertainment industry is lack of collaboration. People don’t understand that the cake is big enough for everyone. Imagine what we can do together? Individualism doesn’t really get us anywhere.
Have you come across challenges when building your brand? If so, please share them with us?
Of course I did. False promises, little or no pay to try prove yourself and your worth, uncouth promoters who use people, big corporations who will blatantly tell you what you are worth, peers turning against you for money and lack of authenticity, the list is endless.
What is the most interesting thing about your career?
Starred on The Number One Ladies Detective Agency; Mma Ramotswe alongside Jill Scott, Anika Noni Rose From Dream girls and Desmond Dube, which aired all over the world i.e. in the US screened on HBO, in Southern Africa on MNet. On an international platform he has covered the red carpet at the Durban July in South Africa 2 years in a row, meeting and interviewing powerhouse entertainers, Top 11 Presenter Search on SABC 3 Top Billing. I love what I do and I don’t take it for granted.
What is your biggest motivation about life, to any Motswana struggling to cope with the hardships of life, unemployment being one of the challenges?
Living and achieving my dreams is my biggest motivation in life. This whole thing that a Motswana cannot make it is nonsense. We are very much capable. Trust me when I say Batswana are talented and it’s only a matter of time until we flourish and the rest of the world takes notice. I keep saying someone somewhere has it more difficult than me. I do not take anything or anyone for granted. The unemployment situation that we are currently facing is devastating, and I want all those who are going through this to be optimistic. Your dreams are valid, you will achieve your goals, it might not be today, but eventually God answers everyone’s prayers.
So far, have you progressed in your career as you have expected?
I am only just starting. My race my pace. I have laid my foundation it’s now time to build. You will understand one day.
What is your biggest achievement at the moment?
Everything I have done. It comes from a personal place so when I see fruits of my labour being celebrated, I rejoice. I am working on something that will officially become the crème de la crème of changing lives.
Last year the government brought Steve Harvey in an awakening attempt to motivate the arts and performance industry. What do you think still needs improvement in our country?
It is so saddening to see how most Batswana still think a white collar job is the only source of income. Going to school, finishing school and getting a standard job with a standard pay is what defines being successful. The entertainment industry is a multi-Billion Dollar Industry, creatives run the world. From advertising to PR, strategies to marketing, etc. We just need to invest and trust in our own product because the western world already has a saturated market, they are only lacking one thing, our true Botswana stories, our people and the right people to tell those amazing life changing stories.
One of the leading topics of today around the world is Corona Virus, do you think Batswana are sensitized enough or more has to be done about the virus?
It just goes to show how Botswana is unprepared as we are with so many things, thanks God for social media. Still, a lot has to be done especially educating and sensitizing those in the rural parts of Botswana. We pride ourselves with Diamonds, Security etc. but our health and education sector still needs help. We are running behind.
In closing, what is Loungo focused on that he would like to share with our readers?
A massive project that is going to be my pride and joy for many years to come is me cementing my foot in Botswana’s History. Remember: Return The Hate With Love, Kill Them with Kindness and Bury Them With Success.
Duncan Sebeso