06 Jul 2015

Donga Customary Court deputy president, Kgosi Tebogo Stephen, has applauded the Botswana Traditional Games Association (BOTGA) in its endeavour to revive traditional games.

Speaking at the BOTGA activity in Francistown on July 4, Kgosi Stephen said she has realised that traditional games were no longer being played.

She noted that in the olden days when the games were still played, they did not only entertain children but also helped to keep them closer to the homes.

Kgosi Stephen said although the development is good, it has resulted in some disadvantages as the games are no longer being played and leading to some children spending long hours away   from their homes.

She said the resuscitating of traditional games by BOTGA should be taken seriously and the players should continue and even teach others.

The Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture (MYSC) district coordinator, Minkie Bokole commended BOTGA efforts of helping her ministry to unearth traditional games.

She said the games form part of culture and she implored the children to respect and preserve their culture.
BOTGA’s chairperson, Evans Kesiilwe said his association focuses on resuscitating traditional games such as mhele, morabaraba, diketo, koi, safe and chama.

He said with the help of MYSC, the organisation will cover 10 villages across the country to select best players in the children, youth and adult categories to compete in the nationals.

Kesiilwe said the villages are Ramotswa, Molepolole, Maun, Tsabong, Ghanzi, Kasane, Francistown, Serowe and Kanye and so far half of the villages have been covered.

He further explained the overall winners from the nationals will go to Pretoria, South Africa in September where they will benchmark and also share skills with others in that country.

Mponang Ketshabile, a musician known as Gongmaster appreciated that a lot of people were showing interest in the revival of the games something he described as a positive feedback. ENDS