Motse wa Setso more than a music festival
FRANCISTOWN: The second annual Motse wa Setso cultural festival is expected to generate economic opportunities for the people of Francistown. It will be held tomorrow with a new twist of vintage wear, The event will be headlined by South African Tswana maestro, Johnny Mokhali.
Addressing members of the Fourth Estate, Francistown Deputy Mayor and Councilor for Itekeng ward, Lesego Kwambala said the cultural festival will boost the informal sector. He further said due to the expected masses, the purchasing power for local businesses will be high.
“All of the performing artists as well as guests from outside of Francistown will be staying in our lodging establishments. Because of the event, I think the majority of hotels and guest houses will be completely booked,” he continued.
Kwambala said the week will be hectic for fashion designers in the city as well because women adore fashion and will therefore be purchasing vintage and custom-made African clothing for the event. He said the occasion will honour African culture, which is renowned for its dance and music. The Motse wa Setso cultural festival marketing manager, David Tapela, said the core objective of the cultural event is to encourage entrepreneurship in the creative industry. He said the event promotes cultural diversity via dancing, music and clothes. Tapela further stated that the event will empower the informal sector and boost their and businesses.
“We anticipate that many guests from outside of Francistown will attend the event.
They will stay with us and travel throughout the town via public transportation,” Tapela said. When it came to sponsorship, he said that P60, 000 had been contributed by a partner and councilor for Botsalano, Ontiretse Zuma Bakaile, better known in the music industry as Nthinthie. He also said they have also formed partnerships with businesses like Debonairs and Botswana Life. Tapela added that they have hired a security company that will provide two horses, and patrolling guards, together with the assistance of the Botswana Police Services (BPS).
In a previous interview with this publication, Nthinthie said the cultural festival will begin with an official opening ceremony in the morning, presided over by the Assistant Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport, and Culture, Buti Billy.
He also indicated that there will be a family-friendly day that ends in the evening and is followed by a cultural night after the opening ceremony. He stated that the family fun day will feature a range of kid-friendly activities, including jumping castles, horse races, and quad bike races.
Nthithie also disclosed that at the cultural night event, Johny Mokhali will perform alongside local artists like the Francistown Ensemble, Culture Spears, Dinkwenkgonga, Masganda.com, Nkwita, and Solly Sebotso. Local DJs like DJ Bunz, Cue Deck, and others will serenade the guests with their mixes.
“The idea behind having Johny Mokhali participate was to showcase vintage attire during the cultural event,” he stated.
Tickets are available online and at Tatitown Choppies, Nzano, and Nswazwi Spar, among other locations. Tickets for children are available for P40 each, while single, double, and VIP passes are priced at P70, P100, and P550.