Thousands to benefit from Okavango is Calling
FRANCISTOWN: Okavango is Calling festival will benefit over thousands of people from the Okavango area and surrounding areas.
It is an initiative which was started in 2017 and comprises a series of events aimed at promoting the Okavango delta as a World Heritage site recognised by UNESCO.
The festival organiser, Thato Sebati told Arts & Culture that the festival brings different nations under one roof in Maun to celebrate the food, cultural lifestyle and different traditional attires.
He further said the main event, which will be held from September 30 until October 1, is expected to boost the economic activities hence benefit thousands of the occupants in the host area.
Sebati stated that the event was not held physically in the last year but was turned into a radio show in 2021. The return of the event is expected to be bigger and better as more sponsors such as UNESCO, Botswana Tourism Board (BT0), Cresta Matlapana, Air Botswana and others are already on board.
Sebati said the radio show, which is aired every Friday on RB2, has played a role in benefiting the community by promoting their tourism services. Speaking of their build up activities to the main show, he indicated that on January 26 they hosted a successful Okavango breakfast meeting as part of the build up for the main event. He further said they would on April 29 host a cocktail boat cruise which will be graced by about 100 executives in the tourism industry.
Sebati indicated that they would also host a two-day arts and expiation expo from July 24-25. Further, he said the main event will be divided into a food festival on September 30 followed by a music festival.
He added: “During the food festival, each participating country is expected to send representatives who will showcase their traditional cuisine meals. All participating individuals are also expected to come dressed in traditional clothes as part of celebrating their culture and heritage.” Sebati revealed that as for the music festival on October 1, they want to bring out the big guns.
He said they spoke to different embassies in the country to sponsor some of their finest musicians to come perform during the festivity. For instance, he shared that they approached the United State of America embassy to assist in bringing Taylor Swift who has a history with the delta.
Sebati said that other activities during the main event include scenic view, boat cruising, helicopter rides, horse riding and boat competitions.