Communities urged to emulate Hika la Ngwanyana
The inaugural cultural festival, Hika La Ngwanyana promises to connect the aspirations of Bakgatla- baga- Mmanaana community with the intrinsic value that can be derived from the goods, services and products on o er through this cultural ecosystem.
The event that showcased Bakgatla- bagaMmanaana’s culture and heritage was organised by Ipelego Trust. e Hika La Ngwanyana festival demonstrated the immense potential of cultural and heritage tourism, sports tourism, and other economic sectors to diversify the local economy, generate employment opportunities, and foster leisure activities for the community.
Several projects are underway to transform Moshupa Dam into a tourist hub, with plans for an animal park, inland sheries, aquaculture, ball sports park, arts and cultural park, outdoor picnic cooking area, walking trails, and studio for pottery. Accommodation will also be provided through the construction of guesthouses to enhance visitors’ experience.
Once operational, the various projects at Moshupa Dam are expected to have a signi cant positive impact on the socio- economic status of Moshupa and its neighbouring communities, creating job opportunities during the construction phase and boosting local businesses through increased provision of goods and services. Speaking at the festival, President Mokgweetsi Masisi, a native of Moshupa, emphasised the need to replicate events like Hika- La- Ngwanyana throughout
Botswana, using the country’s diverse water resources and cultural heritage to establish tourism hotspots in areas such as Kanye, Ramotswa, Sojwe, Shadishadi, Mogobane and Tswapong. Masisi urged attendees to embrace technology and innovation, with the aim of scaling the Hika La Ngwanyana festival beyond the local level and transforming it into a renowned regional and international event that can be enjoyed by people across the globe.
“I implore you to ride with joy on the SmartBots
free, high speed internet connectivity available in your villages to support your tourism services and tourism initiatives. We are also trusting that individuals, corporates and the private sector in general, will identify areas in which they can deploy their resources and derive maximum value on investments,” he appealed. President Masisi rea rmed government’s commitment to achieving prosperity for all Batswana through Vision 2036, a long- term blueprint that seeks to transform Botswana into a prosperous, socially and economically inclusive high- income country by 2036.
He explained that the National Transformation Strategy, which is based on the long- term goals of Vision 2036, has identi ed Sports and Creative Industries as key sectors that can unlock growth and job creation potential, particularly for the youth. As knowledge- based sectors with a signi cant global market, these industries o er opportunities for wealth creation, innovation, and entrepreneurship. e strategy highlights the importance of supporting and nurturing these sectors to realise their full potential and contribute to Botswana’s economic transformation. e Ipelego Trust’s mission to monetise and globalise Botswana’s cultural value received strong support, with the aim of attracting investors and partners who can appreciate the country’s unique essence and help share its vibrant identity with the world. Residents of Moshupa have expressed their gratitude to the government for implementing the Hika La Ngwanyana initiative. is initiative provides a platform for locals to display and sell traditional goods, which is especially bene cial during the current harvesting period. e youth of Moshupa and neighboring villages have voiced their appreciation for Ipelego Trust’s initiative in involving them in the Hika La Ngwanyana event. e youths expressed a sense of gratitude for being engaged in this cultural initiative, which not only allows them to showcase their talents but also provides an avenue for them to earn income. In particular, the youths noted their plans to host monthly beach volleyball tournaments, further demonstrating their commitment to generating revenue through the event.