02 Nov 2015

The managing director of Fidelity Print Mark, Mr Fidelis Ncube said that the preservation of culture is of utmost importance. He called on all those capable to write to start with immediate effect to document indigenous culture in the form of books and documentaries. 

He said documentation of culture will benefit the present and future generations and will ensure long lasting identities of various tribes and tribal groupings.

Mr Ncube said this when speaking during the 70^th anniversary celebrations for Serule held at the village kgotla under the theme Culture Preservation of Our Identity over the weekend. 

The event was also attended by Assistant Minister of Agriculture and also MP for Serowe North Mr Kgotla Autlwetse, Kgosi Oletile Modisa of Serule, Kgosi Ramosinyi Radipitse of Tonota who was representing Bangwato Regent Kgosi Sediegeng Kgamane, tribes’ men from surrounding villages and senior government officials.

Mr Ncube also commended the Serule Tsosolosa Ngwao group for deciding to hold such an event to commemorate the village’s 70 years of existence and also to promote culture preservation. 

“The very reason why we have organisations such as Tsosolosa Ngwao is due to the realisation that our cultures are becoming extinct and our identities are disappearing, and this might be due to lack of available documentation as well as ignorance by new generations.” 

He explained that in the olden days tradition and cultural wisdom was passed orally by elders from one generation to another with dance, song and storytelling.

He said the present generation believe in Internet, websites, whatsapp, Google, and face book which are all various modern communication forms of write ups and illustrations. 

“Our culture has to move with the times, especially the medium or vehicle of inheritance by one generation from the other and to the other,” he said.

Mr Ncube went on to state that safeguarding traditions, societal values and norms requires complete mindset change spearheaded by traditional chiefs. 

He also suggested that through Ntlo Ya Dikgosi, a motion sponsored by sitting dikgosi, requesting government to establish an annual paid public holiday of tradition and culture to mark and celebrate culture day simulteniously at national level should be tabled.

He also suggested that the government should introduce culture as an independent subject in all schools from primary to senior secondary level.

For his part Mr Autlwetse said it is the responsibility of government and Batswana as a whole to preserve culture. 

He said culture is the backbone of any society and societal value. 

He said culture defines and identifies who a people are.

He commended Serule Tsosolosa Ngwao group for holding the anniversary which he also said promoted and helped to preserve the diverse culture of people of Serule. 

He also added that though Serule village is made up of different ethnic groups, they have lived in unity and in peace for the past 70 years with no tribalism or divisions. 

“This demonstrates a true Setswana culture that has built this country-nationalism in cultural diversity,” he said.

He expressed gratitude to Serule Tsosolosa Ngwao for initiating such an event in Serule explaining that culture plays the role of a pillar of any society and needs to preserved and promoted. 

He also noted that Kgosi Puso Gaborone Commission supports the notion that indigenous culture is disappearing   and needs to be restored.

Meanwhile during the occasion, elders of the village born 70 years ago were given the opportunity to narrate stories on how they used to live and grew up in Serule. Some village tribesmen and elders also explained how the name Serule came about. 

They said back in days the area was full of lions and people did not take the risk spending time taking of their hats and relaxing to greet one another on the way home or in the bush because while still doing so one might be attacked by lions, hence the name ‘Se role’ thoro came about which was later changed to Serule.

Also at the event some elders played traditional games. 

The event was also characterised by traditional song and dance. 

On Friday evening during the culture night, elderly tribes men and women told stories on how they herded livestock, types of leather clothing they put on and traditional food they ate. They also talked about cultural norms and values.  Ends