31 Aug 2015

The Hambukushu tribe has been hailed for showing commitment to upholding their cultural values and embracing their culture in its totality.

Officiating at the annual Mbungu-wa-Kathimana cultural dance festival, the minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Thapelo Olopeng said it was pleasing to see different ethnic groups reviving and preserving their culture, noting that culture is identity. He said what the tribe has done was in line with his ministry’s mandate of promoting and preserving culture. 

In addition, he said the President’s initiative of hosting arts and cultural competitions, which aim to showcase the tribes’ talent in the creative arts and culture, was also in line with his ministry’s mandate.

“This is a deliberate effort in trying to promote and preserve different cultures around the country. It is our intention to give a great support to all the tribes that come forth to revive their cultures,” he added.

He said culture fosters unity and respect for human rights, hence the government was making efforts to encourage all tribes to revive, preserve and celebrate their cultures because it has the potential to develop the nation. Olopeng said it was important to ensure that the tribes do not loose their identity and appealed to parents, elders and leaders to come together and teach youth about the importance of preserving culture.

He said culture should not only be limited to language, folk songs and dance, but should also encompass critical aspects of behaviour, botho and respect for all people. The minister said cultural values could mould young people so that they grow into responsible and proud citizens.

He said Batswana are living in a global village and failure to teach the new generation about the social values and culture would create a gap for them to copy other cultures through technology usage.

The festival was organised by the Mbungu-wa-Kathimana Cultural Society under the theme Cultural Tourism, Our Vehicle Towards Economic Empowerment and Diversification.”

Olopeng said the Ngamiland region is rich in culture as the area comprises different tribes, hence the community had a window of opportunity, which is to explore their cultures as well as art and crafts, which in turn could assist in the course of improving their livelihoods.

He said their art and crafts could also promote tourism as it would attract more tourists to the area, adding that culture is not all about entertainment, but it could also improve people’s living standards. Minister Olopeng pointed out that the region is well known for basket weaving, hence the government’s decision to collect the weaver’s products and bring them closer to the market.

In addition, he said the government has instructed all offices to decorate with local products with an aim to empower the communities.

For his part, the coordinator of the event, Benson Dibebe explained that the society is a non-governmental, non-profit making, apolitical organisation mandated to revive Thimbukushu language and culture. The society was established in 1999 and registered in 2001 when it was officially launched at Etsha 6 in the same year.

Dibebe said the event has over the years enjoyed a tremendous support from the government through funding hence its success. The event attracted both young people and elders and other tribes across the region.

He said the main objective of the annual event was to revive culture and sensitise the community about cultural values and the significance of the language and culture through traditional song and dance. Ends