06 Dec 2023

The Director of the Botswana National Archives and Records Services (BNARS), Ms Dineo Phuti has commended the UNESCO Secretariat of the 2003 Convention for the technical and financial support towards safeguarding Botswana’s living heritage.

Responding to the presentation of the secretariat’s activities at the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of ICH session (18.COM) in Kasane, Ms Phuti said Botswana had benefited from the activities undertaken by the secretariat from January 2022 to June 2023.

She said Botswana benefited financially from the capacity building support from the Southern Africa UNESCO Regional Office, highlighting the recent P1.2m funding for the Seperu folk dance and associated practices.

The safeguarding plan for Seperu folk dance and associated practices element includes establishing school clubs, conducting coaching clinics, research and documentation of the element as well as formation of the village intangible cultural heritage committees.

The secretariat reported on its key achievements and challenges encountered from January 2022 to June 2023.

The reported activities include support to governing bodies, new forms and nomination procedures, capacity building on nominations, international assistance, safeguarding living heritage in emergencies as well as periodic reporting, among others.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Permanent Delegate of Botswana to UNESCO and also 18.COM chairperson, Mr Mustaq Moorad said the meeting was deliberately held in Kasane in order to celebrate with the local community the listing of one of their most sacred dances and associated practices.

He said 18.COM had inspired Batswana to find elements for listing in future.

Also, Mr Moorad extended gratitude to President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi for his participation, saying his attendance set the tone for the event. Ends