16 Aug 2015

The Maun community will once again celebrate the annual Pula and Thebe festival slated for August 23 at Disana ward.

The celebration started last year after Thari-E-Ntsho Storytellers took it upon themselves to publicly celebrate the event with the community. Thari-E-Ntsho Storyteller is a Maun based enterprise that showcases Botswana’s traditional and contemporary culture through stories, theatre, song, dance, crafts, art and literature.

The aim of the event is to commemorate the inauguration of the Pula and Thebe currency as Botswana’s official. Briefing a media conference, the coordinator of the festival, Bontekanye Botumile of Thari-E-Ntsho storytellers said preparations for the event were on track and believed it would be a success.

She explained that the objective of hosting the event was to acknowledge the local currency beyond monetary terms and heighten perceptions of Botswana’s treasures in the form of skills and talent.

She said August 23 marked 38 years of Botswana’s currency in circulation following the use of South African Rand from 1961 to 1976 and the British Pound in the former years (1855-1961).

Botumile noted that Maun was the first place to recognise and celebrate a part of history that was seemingly forgotten, adding that the Pula currency was a success story, and a part of culture and history as rain signifies a lot in the Setswana culture.

She said the currency has contributed to the economy and development of the country hence the need to take pride and commemorate the day.

She emphasised the need to guard against the Pula losing value, as it has happened to other countries where currencies had no value to a point where such currencies could be exchanged anywhere.

Botumile also observed that the event would keep aspects such as culture, tradition, moral values, clothing and traditional food alive as different activities would be showcased so that the community could understand where they come from.

“Our culture and tradition is fading rapidly and I believe we could show the new generation that culture and modernisation could go together,” she added.

She revealed that this year, the event aims to spread the message, entertain and provide a family friendly, balanced and structured environment that would leave the audience desiring for more.

She said although the event has no sponsorship some private entities such as Banc ABC had promised to support with mechandise. The coordinator also noted that they approached the Bank of Botswana, but their efforts proved futile as there was no response. 

To spice up the event, the gathering would be treated to traditional food, dance, songs and poetry and mini tournaments of traditional games and winners would be awarded with prizes.

Botumile appealed to the business community and the public at large to come in large numbers to support the event. The event would be held under the them: A prosperous, productive and innovative nation. She explained that the theme was in line with Vision 2016 emphasising the need to come together and show Botswana wealth through cultural and artistic ways. Tickets are sold at P150. ENDS