25 Nov 2013

Galo mall was the place to be on Saturday, November 23 for followers of culture and visual arts.

Heritage arts and culture was the theme of the day, which was organized by Yasir Investment company in conjunction with Galo Mall.According to one of the directors for the company, Goitsemodimo Mokoti, Yasir Investment company has a mandate of organizing and managing both talent and events.

The event did not disappoint throngs who showed forth as it reminded them of where they come from and where change can be done to bring back their cultural roots. According to Mokoti, as years go by people tend to forget where they are from and through organizing such events culture is revived.

He said because of the changes and innovations that come with each and every generation and in most time depriving Batswana their culture, organizing events such as this ones will let people know that despite the changes taking place they have their identity.Mokoti noted that the event was open to all artists who can revive culture through music and also through visual arts.

Yasir Investment company Manager, Loeto Kenosi said the response from the artists was amazing and their dedication has proven that indeed culture is still alive in Francistown. He said they intend to organize the event annually around the month of November as it introduces people to the festive season mood.

“This month is the perfect timing for this event as it introduces events about the spirit of moral values based on our culture, norms and idioms, as it reminds people not to forget their culture as they celebrate the festive season,” he said.

According to one of the cultural groups that had the public eating form their palm was a Kalanga cultural group called Tjilenje tji Ngwao. Tjilenje tji Ngwao director Ngwisiwa Ntogwa said the event has played a massive role in marketing the culture of Batswana both locally and internationally, and he believes it was organized in the right place since most people folk the malls for shopping.

He explained that it would be a big loss to the country and the upcoming generation if children are raised in an environment where they are not aware of their culture. Ntogwa noted that a person who grows where they do not have an identity of where they are from are at risk of living a life without a vision and one who does not have a vision is a powerless individual since they cannot be creative.

He further said if one has an identity, self-reliance will not be a problem and through culture people can grow and contribute to the development of the country. ENDS