09 Aug 2016

Kuru Dance festival organising committee chairperson says the festival has over the years lived to its objectives of preserving the Sesarwa culture.

Xukuri Xukuri said in an interview that the 18^th Annual Kuru Dance festival scheduled for August 19 and 20 will be held under the theme San Embrace Cultural Diversity as Botswana Celebrates 50 years of independence. 

He said Basarwa youth continued to embrace and celebrate their culture, adding that they displayed their love for their culture in various activities such as the President’s Day competitions. 

In the past, Xukuri indicated that only the elders participated in the festival, but the youth have joined since they have realised that culture is dynamic. 

He said since the last edition of Kuru festival, they invited non- San groups to exchange and blend various cultures found in Botswana. 

Xukuri said as Basarwa they acknowledge and embrace other cultures in Botswana and outside the country. 

He said Botswana as a country has achieved a lot and the differences in cultures had not stopped Batswana from living in peace and harmony, hence they found it fit to celebrate 50 years of independence as Kuru festival. 

Barclays Bank of Botswana sponsors the festival to the tune of P300 000. The festival will showcase 20 groups, two from Namibia and South Africa, five non-San groups, eight groups from Ghanzi and others across the western region. 

Xukuri noted that although Barclays Bank has put in P300 000, they are also responsible for marketing, branding and promotion of the event. 

The Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture (MYSC) as stakeholders are also part of the sponsorship. MYSC district coordinator, Goabaone Ramoupo noted that their partnership include financial and logistical assistance to the festival. Ends