14 Aug 2016

Motswasele Junior Secondary School in Molepolole on Friday (August 12) officially opened ntlo ya setso.

The house would assist in cultural preservation.

It was a spectacle to watch as activities ranged from recitation of Tswana poetry, traditional dance, dikgafela and the kgotla setup which were all part of the event to teach the students about Setswana culture.

The culture house would also give students an opportunity to learn more about some of the activities that characterised a typical day of Motswana woman.

Women clad in mateisi and megagolwane acted out household activities that included cooking in an open fire using a three legged pot, sweeping with a traditional broom as well as slicing watermelon. 

Given its rich historical background, parents, teachers, students at the school had more reasons to be in a celebratory mood as the school also received the roving torch, a milestone achievement that they would forever cherish.

Built in 1983, the school was named after Kgosi Motswasele II, one of the leaders of Bakwena who was killed around 1821 following some misunderstandings.

Officially opening the house, Kgosi Kereeditse Gopane from Lehurutshe in South Africa urged students to be thankful saying from it, they would continue to learn the important aspects of culture.

She said due to rapid changes brought by modernisation, today’s youth were clueless about their culture.

Thus she encouraged teachers to match with the times by coming up with strategies of teaching Setswana and its cultural aspects in ways that can help students develop interest. 

The Assistant Minister of Education and Skills Development,  Moiseraele Goya, lauded Motlhaolosa Poetry Ensemble for having made it their responsibility of keeping culture alive.

Motlhaolosa Poetry Ensemble was at the forefront of the project together with other private entities and parents who displayed their selfless efforts.

He also appreciated parents who dedicated their time to building the house saying their volunteerism should be recognised as it rests on the spirit of Ipelegeng.

“By taking part in the building of the house, it shows that as parents, you are equally concerned about the declining interest of youth in our Setswana culture,” he said.

He was hopeful that the house will set tone for the youth to ensure that they pass their knowledge of Setswana culture to the coming generation.

School headteacher, Segametsi Matlho who gave objectives of the day, said the idea to build the culture house was motivated by the poor pass rate at the school.

She said from observation, the quality pass rate which ranged between 36 - 34 per cent from 2012 to 2015 showed poor performance by the students in the Setswana subject which she said was also contributed by loss of interest in the subject.

“The school management together with the parents found it necessary to come up with measures that will help revive their interest not only in the subject but also in other aspects of Setswana culture hence the culture house,” she said.

She expressed satisfaction at the purpose the house seemed to be serving of facilitating cultural preservation.

The school headteacher explained that as its construction progressed, students developed interest as they began to take part as well as observe the processes involved.

She said even though nowadays emphasis is paid on educational background, one becomes richer with knowledge if they were equipped with information regarding their own culture. ENDS