20 Apr 2016

Cultural events play a key role in helping Batswana to stick to their culture. It is for this reason that Thobo Cultural Festival is making its second apperance in the town of Lobatse since last year.In an interview with the event organiser, Tshepo Thedi recently, she said the festival was given the name Thobo looking at the fact that it was celebrated during the time of harvest.

She said the objective of the event was to promote Setswana culture and help the youth to think of their culture. She, however, added that the main aim was to raise funds for vulnerable children in Lobatse and surrounding areas.

Thedi further said low rainfalls this year were a challenge as it resulted in low harvests, adding, however, that it would not stop the festival from taking place as they have already gathered all the traditional food that was needed for the event. 

“Everything is prepared. There will be plenty of food in the likes of dikgobe, seswaa, magobe a lerotse le logala, game meat and all the traditional foods you may think of,” Thedi said.She said the activities of the event involve traditional dance and games such as morabaraba, mhele and koi as well as poetry.

On the line up, Thedi indicated that Motsweding FM’s DJ Phat K would be on the decks while renowned Dr Vom wa di khwaere would set the stage ablaze together with Matlotla Traditional Group, Basotho Traditional Group from Tlhareseleele in the Good Hope - Mabule constituency as well as guitarists, segaba, setinkane and marimba players.

She said preparations were going well as the venue was already paid for while tickets were already for sale at Engen Filling Stations and Liquirama stores in Lobatse and Gaborone.She added that last year’s event experienced a low turn-up, but that this year she was hoping for an improvement as the event was well advertised. 

She also promised the best celebration ever.“We are doing our best to bring them a fun filled cultural festival and promise we won’t disappoint,” said Thedi.

She said with the support of companies such as Tongaat Hulett Sugar Botswana who bought tickets for its staff and Choppies and Mascom, she hopes the event will be a success.Thedi said she found it fit to bring the cultural celebration to Lobatse after realisation that the young generation of Lobatse and surrounding arrears are losing their culture.  BOPA