22 Aug 2016

BOT50 coordinator, Charity Kgotlafela, says cultural festivals are crucial to integration and exchange of culture between people and the society.

Opening the 18th annual Kuru Dance festival in Dqae Qare farm on August 20, Kgotlafela said the arts were critical to the economy as they complement the tourism sector.

She cited events such as Kuru festival saying they provide opportunities to celebrate the unique attributes of the communities.

Kgotlafela said the Kuru festival, provided a springboard for Batswana and international communities to come together to rejuvenate, showcase talent and celebrate where Botswana come from as a nation.

She noted that arts and culture were a source of foreign exchange and serves to reduce unemployment and poverty especially among the youth.

“The arts sector contributes in boosting the economy of the country as much as sport. It is for this reason that the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture advocate and support all arts and culture activities for the benefit of young people,” she said.

For her part, managing director of Barclays Bank Botswana Namenda Maruza said their relationship with Kuru festival started in 2015 through the launch to the bank’s Shared Growth Strategy which effected this year.

She explained that the Shared Growth Strategy is a long term strategy that aims to empower people and develop communities while growing wealth and economies.

The bank’s official said it was part of their vision to contribute to the growth of Kuru Dance festival and the community of Dkar.

She said through the Shared Growth Strategy, the have hope that the bank and the community where they operate can prosper authentically and sustainably.

As a festival that encourages cultural exchange amongst performers, Maruza said it is with events like Kuru festival that a significant bank like Barclays takes inspiration from the achievements that come from the resilience and creativity of a culture like that of the San.

Meanwhile Member of Parliament for Ghanzi North Noah Salakae indicated that there was need for benchmarking.

He implored the organisers of Kuru festival to engage with other local cultural activities in other parts of the country to grow their event into an international tourism activity.

He encouraged them to engage stakeholders like Botswana Tourism Board in future as a way of boosting the event’s exposure for more opportunities that could benefit the community as well as the nation. Salakae noted that stakeholders like BTO can assist in strengthening the marketing strategy of Kuru festival. Ends