17 Oct 2016

Gabane-Mmankgodi constituency conducted its first round of constituency arts competitions over the weekend in Mmankgodi.
The competitions, which are meant to unearth talent amongst the youth and to keep them meaningfully engaged so as to avoid engaging in drugs and other harmful substances, started on Saturday at ward level as a build up for the finals on Sunday which would determine the champions.
Held under the theme “Re Ipela Ka Botswana O Godile”, the competition had drama, traditional song and dance, traditional instruments, polka and dikhwaere categories.
Lack of competition at ward level made it easy for all performing groups and individuals to proceed to the constituency finals on Sunday. In some instances, individuals and groups performed without any challengers. Even so, the adjudicating panel said that it was necessary for individuals and groups in categories where there were no competitors to perform before judges so that they can be told where to improve on their work.
They went on further to explain that lack of challengers does not mean individuals or groups became winners automatically saying that they had to score above 50 per cent.
This therefore meant that individuals and groups in categories where there were no challengers could still lose if they did not meet the required mark of above 50 per cent.
For the first time in history, Gabane-Mmankgodi constituency saw the inclusion of the first Polka category.
Atang Jack from Lesirane ward in Tsolamosese with his poem titled Ipelegeng took position one under the poetry category. On the traditional instruments category, Theko Kagiso proved to be the best with the guitar whereas Pogiso Pule and Baleseng Rankgomo easily walked away as winners with segaba and setinkane categories respectively for lack of contenders. Naretsapina Dance Troupe as well became champions because of lack of competitors. Lesedi Choir emerged victorious under the dikhwaere category.
In the Polka and drama categories, Welkom Polka and Mekgweba theatre scooped first positions. Kegomoditswe Mantu and Motse Kelefang from Dintorokong Choir caught the ears of the adjudicating panel as they chose them to be the overall best singers while Ditshebo Kgope and Omphile Madisakwane were said to be the best couple in Polka category.
According to the rules, only out of school youth should register for the competitions and any member of any group found with alcohol  are disqualified together with their groups. Winners at ward level receive P3 000 and P5 000 at constituency.ENDS