22 Aug 2017

The chairperson of Ntlo ya Dikgosi, Kgosi Puso Gaborone of Batlokwa says culture gives significance and it ought to be celebrated.

Kgosi Puso emphasised this during the celebration of Mafifatshwana Cultural Festival held under the theme: Ngwao bontle jwa sechaba, re a ipela, hosted at Batlokwa Development Trust Grounds on Saturday.

He said it was important for culture to be recognised, honoured and to be passed on to the young generation who could preserve it for the good of the tribe.

Kgosi Puso added that knowing the principles and values of one’s culture could help one trace the roots of their identity.

Kgosi Puso also said cultural exchanges were important as they gave insight and respect to other tribe’s cultures, and that they brought unity amongst people of different cultures.

Kgosi Puso also said cultural diversity was important as it accommodated cultural exchange experiences from other tribes.

For her part, South Africa’s Constitutional Court Judge, Bess Nkabinde-Mmono said “culture is now part of the global politics, as people of different cultures are coming and living together.”

She noted that in some instances, political boundaries were being redrawn to consider culture.

However, Nkabinde-Mmono also  regretted that some cultural differences promote conflicts.

Culture, she said, gives identity confidence and a sense of belonging. “People are searching for their identification and are seeking to know their roots to connect themselves against the unknown,” she said.

The annual Batlokwa culture day, which has changed its name to Mafifatshwana Cultural Festival, was graced by Kgosi Mosadi Seboko of Balete, Batlokwa from South Africa and a royal family from Ghana. ENDS