01 Jul 2024

Gabane-based Welkom Polka Club proved their mettle and scooped position one in the National Arts Festival Regional Competitions held in Ramotswa over the weekend.

They were followed by the youthful and upcoming Dikgajwana Polka club from Mochudi while Tsolamosese based Desert Polka group settled for the third spot.

The winners Welkom advanced to finals slated for Ghanzi this coming weekend while Dikgajwana pocketed P10 000 and Desert walked home with P7 000 for their efforts. Ramotswa District Principal Programmes officer Lebotse Modibedi said 11 groups were expected to compete in the Southern Region but only seven groups came through.

He said the Polka dance competition, popular in the south western part of the country and now widespread to other areas was meant to showcase the diversity and uniqueness of Botswana as a nation, raise profile of Botswana artists and help artistes realise their full potential and contribution towards the economy and economic diversification.

Welkom group founder Kabelo Mmualefhe said they were all geared up to defend the prestigious title they won last year at the national finals.

He said his group was established in 2012 and had been on a steady growth learning about the polka originality and concept. He said they had travelled as far as Struizendam to take a leaf from experienced groups in Kgalagadi South. He said the ability to grow had been made possible by the group’s drive for passion, ambition and discipline.

Chief judge Kgotla Gotcha advised groups to yearn for a better performance in the next round of competition. He said contestants should understand the originality of the dance whose basics included footwork.

He said most competitors lacked skill of practicality and stage presence. He said tempo of the song must be in-sync with the dance.  Gotcha said there must also be uniformity of display and attire. Other groups who performed were Honey Polka group (Kanye), Phuas polka group (Molepolole), Vietnam polka group (Ramotswa) and Armature polka group from Ledumang in Gaborone. ENDS