26 Aug 2014

The principal programmes officer in the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture, Badzile Matenge says arts competitions provide an opportunity to unearth talent and give artist a platform to showcase their abilities.


Speaking at the constituency arts competitions in Francistown recently, Matenge said the competitions were part of cultural revival as artists showcased different cultures for others to appreciate and respect.


Matenge said art was an important aspect as it could keep away stress and also helps keep artists away from social ills such as alcohol and drugs.
 She encouraged the artists to nurture their talents, saying by doing so, they could turn into professionals such as the likes of Shumba Ratshega and others.


On other issues, Matenge implored the artist to always take good care of the venues of the competitions. She complained that due to the attitudes of some artists, her department is struggling to secure some venues.
 Matenge said groups and individuals who scooped position one at the ward level competitions held on August 23 qualified to the constituency competitions.

She explained that the constituency competitions marked the end of cycle one.
 Matenge indicated that at constituency level, individuals who scooped position one , two and three won themselves P2500.00, P1500.00 and P1000.00 each respectively while groups won P5 000.00, P3000.00 and P2000.00 each for position one, two and three.


She further explained that though the three constituencies of Francistown were brought together at the same venue, groups from the wards in the constituency will compete amongst themselves.


At the same competitions, the Francistown West Drama category was scooped by Shadows, with Majakatata in the second position and Matona getting the third position.


Still in the same constituency Dikhwaere category’s position one went to All in One followed by Matsubutsubu and Sediba sa Ngwao in the second and third positions while the traditional dance category was won by Tjilenge, Pure Culture and Bunyambi in the first, second and third positions.

In the Francistown East constituency, drama was won by Marumo a Setso, Dlala Tsotsi and Diselammapa with position one, two and three respectively while Bosele Choir took position one, Dijammogo position two and Thubaletsapa took position three in the Dikhwaere category.


The traditional dance category was won by Atakurunataboo and Francistown Cultural in position one and two respectively.


In Francistown South constituency, Ditau tsa Setso and Sedzembuya scooped positions one and two respectively in the Traditional Dance category while the drama category was won by Kgetsi ya Tsie, Thako ya Setso and Mogobagoba in that order.

The Dikhwaere category was scooped by Tselatshweu followed by Sephiri se Dule.
 Individuals competed in Setinkane, Segaba, Poetry, Moropa, and Katara categories. Ends