'I admire Grace Mugabe'

Queen of Kwaito Kwasa, Naledi Kaisara, known as Slizer, says her dream is to meet Zimbabwe's First Lady, Grace Mugabe.

She said she admires her philanthropic work of helping orphans.

The Botswana music sensation and provocative dancer, who is currently in Zimbabwe for Tongai Moyo's memorial, describes Grace as a "special person."

She spoke to the Daily News as she prepared for a three-date showcase starting today in Kwekwe, followed by a concert in Kadoma on Saturday, and then rounding off the musical jamboree with a date in Harare at Harare Gardens on Sunday.

"I want to meet the First Lady because she is a special person who loves and takes care of the less privileged," Slizer told the Daily News.

"It would be a dream come true for me if I visit her orphanage home in Mazowe and witness her gracious hand towards disadvantaged children."

"I would like to do something for those children in Mazowe, but my immediate hope is to meet the First Lady and tap her wisdom since I run a project for street children and the disabled back in my country," she said.

Through her humanitarian initiative dubbed "Love A Child", the Botswana diva has taken several children under her care.

"It is satisfying always when you give something back to the community, especially the less fortunate ones," she said.

Besides her kwasa-kwasa house style and dances, Slizer's appearance seems to give her the edge. She remarked: "I am the queen, yes, queen of music of course!"

Slizer is known "for her behaviour, torn-jeans, dance and yes, the sweet voice."

Slizer, whose band manager and band leader are Zimbabweans, said "choosing to work with the guys showed the vast artistic talent that Zimbabweans have."

Asked if she would like to marry a Zimbabwean and settle here, she retorted: "You mean getting married to any Zimbabwean?"

She smiled and dodged the question.

The diva, who was once rumoured to be dating Peter Moyo, professed ignorance of the affair.

"Life is always complicated and so is love," she said. "I usually wait for things to happen and if I happen to get married to a Zimbabwean, that is not for me to decide now.

"Zimbabwe is my second home and hopefully I will be coming to stay more here and work with local musicians."

She said she was not worried that pole dancers Bev and Zoey would be part of those she would share the stage with at Harare Gardens on Sunday.

"I am not here for competition neither should my participation be a contest," she said.

"No, I will not be competing with Bev or Zoey. Actually it would be nice that the three of us do something together on Sunday. A dance maybe! And I am eager to meet Zoey for the first time."

Slizer, who will release her DVD album today in Kwekwe said at every concert she endeavours to give her best performance.

"I will not be under pressure at all to outperform others because that is not what I came here for. I came here to entertain Zimbabweans who show appreciation of my showcases every time I am here."

Another highlight for the Harare Gardens concert on Sunday would be her collaboration with Peter Moyo on a duet titled Ga Gona Madi (Pasina Mari).

"We have a duet that we will sing together with Peter on the day," she said.

Slizer has also collaborated with Afro-jazz musician Prince Musarurwa and worked with Gweru-bred musician Madiz.

The diva started her music career over a decade ago as a backing vocalist for various renowned Batswana groups, including Franco and Alfredo Mos. She was inspired by South Africa's Boom Shaka and its controversial leader, the late Lebo.

Slizer's debut album O Tswa Kae in 2008 reportedly sold over 30 000 copies which opened her up to several hit songs popular within the region.