31 Jul 2016

Member of Parliament for Tati East, Samson Guma, has appealed to Batswana to uphold Setswana values and morals in order to promote their culture 

Officiating at Chanoga Cultural Festival on Saturday, Guma said there was need to pride oneself in culture and continue preserving it.

Hesaid values and morals were key to promoting botho and unity amongst Batswana.

Guma urged Batswana to appreciate and respect other tribes’ cultures noting that they should thank God for the peace and unity that reign in their country.

He said since the country became independent, it had never experienced war like other countries because Batswana appreciated the phrase: Mmualebe o bua la gagwe...

He further stated that the custodians of culture were dikgosi, thus he praised traditional leaders for realising the importance of culture since independence. 

He said dikgosi should be seen to be at the forefront in preserving culture noting that the government was equally committed to the development and preservation of culture.

Guma further said the culture festivals were another attempt to promote culture and showcase it to the young generation. 

The Tati East legislator said events like cultural festivals gave people an opportunity to trace their roots and also learn the cultures of other tribes.

He explained that culture was deep emphasising the need to showcase different activities through poetry, food, and attire, adding that music and dance were not culture but a way of expressing how a certain tribe lived.

The village chief, Kgosi Oateng Setlhodi explained that the main objective of the event was to mark the starting of BOT50 independence celebrations.

He said this year’s independence celebration was a big event that needed all to take part; hence the cultural festival which would bring different tribes to showcase their cultures.

He said as the community celebrated this year’s independence, they must understand that culture plays an important role in placing Botswana where it is today; hence the need to preserve it and be proud of it.

In addition, Kgosi Setlhodi revealed that culture promoted good governance, Botho, unity and team spirit among Batswana; hence peace and tranquillity reign in the country.

An official from the department of Youth, Edwin Manche said the government was committed to recognising all cultural activities because het new generation benefited a lot from them.

He said in the past, performing arts were for leisure but today the government had realised that they contributed towards economic diversification through development of sustainable projects.

He also appreciated that Ngamiland district had a vibrant culture and artistic talents that needed to be unearthed because of their potential as economic drivers in communities.

Maun East MP, Kosta Markus thanked Chanoga leaders for coming up with an idea of hosting a cultural festival, which was designed to celebrate, revive and embrace the Setswana culture thus bringing all interested tribes and individuals to showcase their different cultural artifacts and activities.

He also thanked the forefathers for preserving the Setswana culture noting that without their contribution the culture could have perished. 

Markus suggested that the event be held annually and together with his counterpart, Moyo,  pledged P10 000 each towards next year’s event.

The event showcased a diversity of Botswana culture with acts such as traditional dance, poetry, dikhwaere, and traditional food, among others. ENDS