Mapantsula’s ‘Donty ka Okapi’ grand finale Saturday
The Botswana Pantsula Association (BPA) competition grand finale will be held at the Metsimotlhabe Hall on May 13, 2023 from 2pm. The competitions dubbed ‘Donty ka Okapi’ powered by the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sports and Culture commenced with regional eliminations in February to deal with the iSpantsula stigmatisation within the community.
In an interview with the BPA secretary-general, Laki Kunene, he said the grand finale compromises all the winners from the five regions and are expected to battle for the prizes of whom amongst them were five groups, five male solos and five women solos. He explained that these were winners from their respective regions adding that they will be more heat and eye catching for those championships.
“All contestants are from South, North Kweneng, Gaborone and Central regions. These are all our Pantsula members with subscribed memberships and affiliation. They are namely Mmankgodi, Jwaneng, Serowe, Maun and Kopong branches. For groups competing and solos males, we have Blocks (Zola branch) Trikos (Kopong branch) Thizola (Serowe branch) Stilla (Francistown branch) and Discovery (Lekgomantlha branch from Ntlhantlhe). These are best of the best, I tell you. For solo ladies we have Boity (Citty Ollas branch), Fena (Thamaga branch), Bame (Mahalapye branch), Gofaone (Francistown) and Risky (Letlhakane East),” he said.
Furthermore, he explained that the objectives of the competitions are to appreciate the creative talents of their members and raise their profiles; help dancers realise their full potential and contribution towards economic diversification; to showcase the uniqueness of iSpantsula and its dance moves; to promote the spirit of unity through youth participation and celebration of arts; raise awareness on social ills through infotainment using competition themes and to educate the nation about the role of arts in the promotion of Vision 2036 pillars of the nation of Botswana.
He also said contestants would win good prizes that include money, trophies and medals.
Group winners will walk away with P25,000, while position two wins P20,000, position three P15,000, position four P10,000 and position five wins P5,000. In the solos for both male and female position one wins P10,000, position two P8,000, position three P6,000, position four P4,000 and positions five will walk away with P2,000 respectively.
Moreover, Kunene explained that Mapantsula were the first in command for the community. He explained that they were not the ones terrorising the community but rather the ones protecting it.
He also pointed out that iSpantsula was a fraternity and a culture that brings together different people. He said they stand against the abuse of the women and girls and the community at large.
“As one of the arts associations, we have a dream to enhance the distinct identity of
Mapantsula across the country and relay the message for change and hope through their distinctive culture lifestyle music dance and smart dress code that portray a code of conduct and ethics if social issues at hand,” he said.
“Pantsula is the main and most constant southern African sub culture originating in the 1970s in townships and representing the identity of several generations of its black population and incorporating political consciousness, lifestyle, language (township slang), dress code, music, dance and dance alone is practiced as an art today alongside other street dances. Come and witness the beauty of
iSpantsula and best wishes to you all.”
He said the event would commence with a massive pantsula parade in Metsimotlhabe. Entrance fee is P50.