07 May 2018

Scores of culture enthusiasts attended the annual Orange Letlhafula on Saturday where they were treated to indigenous fresh talent, enjoyed traditional cuisine and games.

The occasion held at BotswanaCraft was characterised by culture fanatics both the young and the old draped in fashionable, colourful African prints and German attires which reflected tapestry of African culture.

Boasting of weaving in a spectrum of all Botswana native cultures from across the country either in food, dance or game, the event seemed to have lived up to expectation as foreigners had also attended to witness the rich Botswana culture.

A 36 –year-old US citizen Dr Maria Donne was impressed with the event. “I have been in Botswana for six months and have always wanted to learn different aspects of the Botswana culture. Letlhafula has given me a first insight, and I feel fascinated!”

Donne said she tasted Botswana food for the first time and she enjoyed it.

 “I was very cautious particularly when tasting the Mophane worm and I loved it,” she exclaimed with a smile.

She noted that Letlhafula had shown her how united, peaceful, friendly and collected the people of Botswana were as evidenced by their song and dance.

“I have learnt a lot, there is a lot keeping us together as a people when cultures come together,” she said.

Caught amid crowds, draped in a brown German Print dress enjoying song and dance was Orange Botswana public relations manager, Boga Chilinde -Masebu who was thankful at the turn-out of the event.

She said the event was meant to celebrate Botswana culture in an urban area where people were often swamped in cosmopolitan lives hence the need to remember their roots and celebrate their culture.

She noted that at the centre of their objectives for sponsoring the event, Orange Botswana aimed to support new talent as the cultural event featured more of unknown artistes to expose them to the market.

She said the line-up featured artistes such as Mogoditshane School Band, Matlotla Traditional Dance, Kgabosetso Traditional Dance, Dintorokong Choir, Western Tinto and many others who were not known to give them the opportunity to showcase their talent.

Further Chilinde- Masebu said the event was targeted at exposing Botswana culture to non-Batswana to share the way of life of Batswana and brand Botswana. She wanted the event to be on Botswana Tourism Organisation annual calendar of events and enjoy support from the people across region and afar.

She noted that over 700 tickets were sold out and the attendance was on point.

“This year the numbers have increased including children,” said a representative of BotswanaCraft Dorothy Moilwa.

She noted that not much had changed this year in terms of event form as they had maintained the same standards they have used over the years.

At the end of the day it is all about celebrating our culture, having fun and learning aspects of other local cultures,” she said.ENDS