09 May 2017

St Joseph’s College recently held a cultural festival themed Bana ba Kgwale ba Bitsana ka Molodi aimed at raising funds for the school’s 90th anniversary celebrations.
The festival brought together the school’s former students and those who contributed to its growth.

Kgosi Puso of Batlokwa, Botswana Democratic Party secretary general, Botsalo Ntuane and Professor Thapelo Otlogetswe were among dignitaries that graced the occasion. Apart from using the event to raise funds for anniversary celebrations, the school head, Constance Male explained that another aim of the event was to revive cultural norms and values amongst St Joseph’s students and the community in their catchment area of Moshupa, Ramotswa, Thamaga, Lobatse, Tlokweng and Gaborone.
Giving a keynote address, Kgosi Puso advised Batswana to be proud of their culture, explaining that without culture one does not have a sense of belonging. He added that compassion had always been entrenched in the Setswana culture over many generations.
“Our culture can guide and mould an individual into a responsible citizen. I am pleased that this event has taken place at a time when we are facing so many challenges as a nation,” said Batlokwa leader, further warning against societal ills such as drugs and alcohol abuse.

He explained that if the nation could go back to its roots and cherish its culture, it would help in dealing with vices such as teenage pregnancy and alcohol abuse, which remain a problem for the nation. “Our culture is our identity, we should be proud of it because it is what makes us unique and sets us apart from the rest (of humankind),” he concluded. Setswana cuisine such as bogobe, morogo, kabu, seswaa, serobe, koko were among delicacies enjoyed at the event.
Games such as koi, mhele, rwabi seemed to awaken a sense of nostalgia for many. Culture Spears, Dr Vom, Solly Sebotso, Matlhaolosa Poetry Ensemble entertained the crowd. ENDS