23 May 2016

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Thapelo Olopeng has called on dikgosi to protect the kgotla system from politics.

Olopeng made the call during national culture day in Manyana on Saturday.

He said dikgosi, as custodians of the Setswana culture, should lead in the crusade against politicking at the kgotla, which he said had potential to compromise the integrity of the kgotla if not taken care of.

“Let us take politics out of our kgotla system lest the infiltration of the former polarise us as a nation and in turn ruin the strides made thus far,” he said adding the practice should be shunned at.

Olopeng, however, gave a pat on the back for dikgosi who resolved to resuscitate Setswana culture; something he said helped give Batswana a distinction from the rest of the nations. 

He likened culture to a brand that distinguishes a people from others, hence the importance to not only revamp it but pass it on to future posterity.

The Tonota South legislator therefore called on dikgosi and Batswana in general to revive the spirit of compassion, volunteerism and cooperation of yesteryears and carry each other’s baggage.

Meanwhile Kgosi Kebinatshwene Mosielele of Manyana gave assurance that dikgosi are determined to salvage good aspects of Setswana culture chief among them; re-introduction of Bogwera le Bojale.

Kgosi Kebinatshwene called on government to consider bankrolling the initiative which he noted is going to be an expensive undertaking.

“This is a sure way to resuscitating our culture and putting to a stop decaying moral fibre among our people especially the youth,” he said.

Deputy council chairman for Moshupa Sub-district and councilor for Manyana, Patrick Sethibe said Batswana can draw a lot of lessons from Bahurutshe ba Manyana whom he stated continue to hold with high esteem their culture.

He cited the annual harvest festival as amongst the many events that demonstrate Bahurutshe penchant for their culture.

Councilor Sethibe was also happy that other than the pomp and fanfare, the national culture day has brought along with it a lot of business and empowered Small Micro Medium Enterprises (SMME’S) in Manyana and surrounding.

Other than traditional cuisine, cultural enthusiasts who thronged the national culture day had a taste of traditional music in all its forms and feasted their eyes on traditional attires from different tribes that make up Botswana.  ENDS