28 Oct 2015

Botswana Traditional Games Association (BOTGA) will take the locals down the memory lane during the much anticipated indigenous games competition set for Gaborone. The event is billed for Old Naledi kgotla on November 14.

The traditional games competition is meant to resuscitate, restore and consolidate indigenous games such as mhele, morabaraba, koi, canoeing, horse and donkey race and diketo among others in Botswana. 

In an interview with Evans Kesiilwe, the founder of this organisation, he said these games are part of an intangible culture which needs to be promoted in order to enhance Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS). 

He said BOTGA was established in 2010 by some young patriotic citizens who were concerned about their culture getting eroded particularly the traditional games.

“It was formed by patriots who wish to see cultural development elevated in their country” he said. 

He pointed out that the objectives of these games are to promote the development of culture in Botswana through consolidation of traditional games and to promote the games by initiating the formation of community clubs throughout Botswana. 

This organisation also intends to organise regular traditional games tournaments as well as to facilitate capacity building and advocacy of traditional games in Botswana and registering internationally competitive individuals and traditional games clubs.

“Traditional games need to be given much attention to help in the solidification of culture since they are rich as they include verbal and non-verbal cues, story-telling, poems, movements, positive cultural connotations, settings and language. Most of these are part of intangible heritage hence an urgent need to preserve these games,” he said. 

He said the revised National Youth Policy of 2010 of Botswana asserts that recreation, leisure, sport and creative arts are key to both the emotional and physical development of the young people. 

“On the other hand, the National Policy on Culture talks about the preservation which involves the storage, care and restoration of cultural property and values which include both the tangible forms and intangible forms, oral traditions, folklore, believes, rites and games,” he said.  

He said culture is one of the major motivating factors for the development of tourism hence sport tourism that BOTGA greatly advocates for.

BOTGA realised that traditional games among other principles or elements of culture are slowly getting eroded and diluted because of the neglected cultural activities thus the hosting of regular indigenous games. Earlier this year, BOTGA got funding from the Ministry of Youth Sport and Culture to raise awareness about traditional games in 11 areas of Ramotswa, Molepolole, Kanye, Tsabong, Francistown, Kasane, Ganzhi, Mochudi, Serowe, Gaborone and Maun. 

“We have managed to successfully hold competitions in only five areas and Gaborone will be the next place to cover where the activity will start with a walk from Bontleng shopping complex to old Naledi Kgotla from 6am on Saturday November 14. 

He said despite the financial constraints they intend to hold the final tournament featuring all 11 villages in the near future. 

The winners of the games will be awarded certificates and prize money. Ends