30 May 2016

Revellers were treated to traditional cuisine, traditional games and entertainment from the likes of veteran Stiger Sola and Maghebula at the annual Cresta Riley’s fourth annual Ngamiland food festival on May 28.

Officiating at the event, Batawana regent, Kgosi Kealetile Moremi commended Cresta Riley’s for upholding culture by hosting such an event that celebrated harvest (letlhafula).

Kgosi Moremi said the event attracted both young and the old therefore revived the culture as it gave the young generation chance to appreciate culture, traditional food and games other than the modern technology lifestyle of internet and media forms which have some negative bearing on them.

She pointed out that in the past children were groomed in the cultural manner of visiting masimo regularly and during the harvest period.
Kgosi Moremi noted that although the rains were unsatisfactory and crops scotched by the heat wave, it was worth appreciating God that some farmers harvested plenty.

In an interview, an elder, Ms Kentshapela Lesonya who is a veteran traditional brew maker commonly known as Mberere in the Northwest which is made of sorghum expressed happiness about the event.
Ms Lesonya said culture is diminishing therefore events such as Ngamiland Food Festival were a right step in the right direction as they revive culture.

She said only a few elders were upholding culture in the Ngamiland which was not enough as majority are moving with time.
Cresta Riley’s sales manager, Ms Wame Masike said their fourth event outshined the previous events.

“It is the best of the best and true letlhafula as we envisioned it with variety of food and many people including tourists,” she said. Ms Masike said they managed to incorporate breakfast and use of traditional pots and firewood as compared to previous events.

She said they hoped to double the standard of this year’s event next year and get more sponsors.

The event, she said was sponsored by Letshego, Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture, Botswana Meat Commission and Segwana, while Botswana Life, Bayport, Tshwaragano Junior, G4S and others supported the event through corporate tables.

The tradional cuisne included lechotlho, tswii, serobe, bogobe ja lerotse, seswaa and others. Ends