30 May 2016

Chief Adjudicator at the Sebirwa Traditional music Regional Presidential competitions which was held in Bobonong on May 28,  Prescious Ofentse urged Babirwa elders to work hand in hand with the youth in Bobirwa so that they can learn Sebirwa traditional music from them.

She said Babirwa must work tirelessly to promote their traditional music so that it does not die but continue to spread to other parts of the country. She continued to say the best way to preserve traditional music is when the youth learn it from their parents who have also learned from their parents who passed it to upcoming generations.

“The late Ms Mphoreng Malema is one of the Babirwa elders who dedicated her life to spreading and teaching Sebirwa traditional music to the Babirwa youth who were willing to learn the music and I would like to encourage the Babirwa elders to continue with what she was doing,” she said.

She said music is one of the things that describes a tribe better and it makes it to be recognised and respected. Ms Ofentse praised the groups which took part in the competitions for good performance and keeping the rhythm of Sebirwa traditional music especially the attire and the drums that are used.

She encouraged upcoming groups to work together with the groups that already have more experience in Sebirwa traditional music so that they can learn from them and unite to take the Sebitwa traditional music further.
She also encouraged Bobonong Arts and Culture office to organise workshops for the youth in Bobirwa that are entitled to promote Sebirwa traditional music.

Deputy district coordinator of the Office of Youth, Arts and Culture in Bobonong, Keneilwe Mmusi encouraged the youth in Bobirwa to learn Sebirwa music from their elders.

She said the Sebirwa traditional music regional presidential competition which saw three groups proceeding to the finals of the presidential competitions that will be held in Gaborone was successful even though some groups did not turn up.

She encouraged Babirwa to support their cultural music by attending and taking part in competitions of this kind so that their music is preserved.

In the regional presidential competitions Sebirwa traditional music was represented by six groups from Bobirwa Sub District villages and three of them proceeded to the finals of the Presidential competitions to be held in Gaborone in July.
The high riding Re tlaare ke Dipitse from Bobonong emerged victorious in position one with 86 per cent, Motloping from Mabolwe came second with 83 per cent while Manamela Nkwe from Bobonong got position three with 78 per cent. Ends