09 Sep 2024

Culture has been described as the fabric that unites people from different societies to be one.

This was said by the Assistant Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture Buti Billy at the annual Mbungu-Wa-Kathimana Cultural Festival that was held at Mohembo Ferry River Bank on Saturday.

The event, organised by Mbungu-Wa-Kathimana Society celebrates and promotes the Hambukushu culture and was officiated by President Dr Mokweetsi Masisi.

The cultural festival attracted Hambukushu locally and from the neighbouring countries such as Namibia.

The assistant minister said the presence of Romelwa Choir from Ipelego Trust of Hika-la-Ngwanyana in Moshupa to promote partnership between the two event organisers was a sign of unity.

He said if packaged and marketed well, cultural aspects like music, food, song and dances had potential to improve the economic lives of the community and diversify the economy of the country.

Billy thanked the event organisers and the Okavango leadership especially Dikgosi for making cultural events a success.

Representative from Hambukushu of Namibia Daniel Mahambayi who is coordinator of Mudiro Wethu Cultural Festival thanked Mbungu-Wa-Kathimana society for valuing the partnership between tribes from the two countries of Botswana and Namibia.

Mahambayi also appreciated Botswana government for embracing and promoting diverse cultures and good neighbourliness with Namibian government evidence by introduction of use of identity cards between the two countries.

The event was cemented with a cultural night that was graced by the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the ministry of youth Tebogo Matebesi and Okavango District leadership.

Matebesi observed that Mbungu cultural festival showcased rich, diverse culture of the Hambukushu and said the cultural night gave audience a better chance to enjoy the festival and fundraising to develop a cultural center.

Different groups of various Hambukushu from Okavango showcased Diware, Thiwinji and other dances.

The Moshupa’s Romelwa choir and Ruyendo Cultural Group from Bagani in Namibia also wowed the attendants.

Chairperson of Ruyendo Cultural Group,  Emily Kamaghoko said their group was formed about two years ago by out of school youth.

Kamaghoko appreciated the moment to be part of Mbungu cultural festival and said their group would like to exchange lessons with Botswana Hambukushu traditional groups. A representative from Romelwa Choir, Ontiretse Motonkomane said they appreciated their experience at Mbungu cultural festival. ENDS