MotswAfrika to showcase BW’s diverse culture
The first installment of MotswAfrika, a cultural event meant to showcase Botswana’s diverse cultural heritage is on the cards. The multi-disciplinary event is scheduled for October 1, 2022 at MotswAfrika Leisure Gardens in Mahalapye. The event coordinator, Hosiah Motlhalawapitse told Arts & Culture that the event is an initiative meant to help revive culture, promote peace, and unity amongst Batswana.
Motlhalawapitse said the objectives of the event include to create an annual Botswana brand with activities and exhibits, present and promote Botswana arts, crafts and performance to the locals and the outside world, enhance culture through reclaiming, preserving, adapting and presenting and incorporating those from other cultures. He stated that the event will also promote local arts and crafts, display traditional groups, mainly from the Central region and across Botswana. He also explained that the event will further market and educate the public and international visitors on local visual arts.
“MotswAfrika will help develop Mahalapye by showcasing the very best of indigenous and general Setswana culture with strong representation of different cultures found in Mahalapye such as Xhosa, Baherero, Basarwa, Barotsi, Bangwato and others,” he explained.
Culture enthusiasts will also get a chance to enjoy Setswana music, dance, food and drama while there will also be a showcase of traditional attire fashion show, storytelling, and arts and craft. Common traditional games such as koi, dibeke, mmele, tshetshe, diketo, batho safe, kgaisano ya go seta, chama/diale are among those to be featured at the event. Over and above being treated to all the entertaining cultural games and music, patrons will also have a chance to enjoy the local traditional cuisine.
“The event will offer other family entertainment including food, market stalls, children’s activities games and of course a merry round and a special for the local farmers,” said Motlhalawapitse. He explained that their plan is to place MotswAfrika as one of the biggest, most culturally balanced showcase of Setswana arts and culture in the country. Motlhalawapitse said they have featured contemporary music performers to enhance the appeal of the event so that it attracts both the youth and the elderly. He said the intention is to invite cultural groups from outside the country to grace the event every year for cultural exchange.
The event will be held under the theme ‘Ke Motswana’ which means “I am a Motswana” in English. Motlhalawapitse explained that this means a sense of identification which upholds individual pride.