18 May 2014

Arts and culture programmes manager, Master Johnson has encouraged arts groups to utilise their groups to earn a living and nurture talent.

Speaking at the President’s Day regional arts competitions in Francistown over the weekend (May 17-18), Johnson said groups should not only be formed for competitions but should be utilised to nurture talent and promote culture.

“Losing here does not mean that it is the end of life for the group but it means that you should go and implement what you learnt from winners,” he said.

Arts and culture deputy director, Lesang Leloba said one of the objectives of the competitions was to provide an opportunity to unearth talent and give artistes a platform to showcase their abilities. Leloba said the competitions were also part of culture revival as artistes showcased their culture for others to appreciate and respect .

He said groups that scooped positions one in different categories would represent the region at the national competitions scheduled for Gaborone in July.

Fourteen groups competed in Tsutsube, six in Phathisi, 10 in Setapa; and nine in Hosanna. The Tsutsube category was won by Khoisan from Xere with 80 per cent. The winners of the Phathisi category were Mahalapye Cultural group with 82 per cent, while Setapa and Hosanna categories were won by Poko Setso from Serowe and Tjilenje tje Ngwao from Francistown with 90 per cent each.

Positions two went to Teemane from Orapa with 78 per cent in Tsutsube, Phate ya Setso from Mahalapye in Phathisi with 80 per cent; Ngwao Metlha from Serowe in Setapa; and Makombela from Francistown with 85 per cent in Hosanna.

Positions three went to Diwetse in Tsutsube with 72 per cent; Kala ya Kwale in Phathisi with 77 per cent; Diolane in Setapa with 86 per cent; and Bakani Tjilenje with 70 per cent.

Groups in position one will represent the region in the national competitions while those in positions two and three each walked away with P5 000 and P3 000 respectively.

The chief adjudicator, Kitso Tiro observed that most of the groups had grown only on the practical aspect while the technical aspect was still lagging behind. Tiro implored the female artistes to dress in such a way that they showed respect to their bodies as it was part of the Tswana culture.

On other issues, she warned artistes against excessive use of accompaniments on the stage and encouraged them to only bring additions that were relevant to the song. ENDS