Culture day celebrations promotes inclusion

28 Sep 2024

 Culture day celebrations provides an understanding, inclusion and enjoyment which promotes happiness, respect and harmony between people and communities.

Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Agriculture Ms Nancy Chengeta said this when delivering a keynote address during the launch of the inaugural Ministry of Agriculture Culture Day celebrations at the miinistry headquarters in Gaborone on Thursday.

Ms Chengeta said culture day celebrations also provide a platform to fully understand and appreciate the diverse cultures within the country.

The PS said Botswana is a multilingual and multicultural nation, comprising of different ethnic groups, which together have their own rich and distinct culture and cultural heritage, but with similarities and differences.

Ms Chengeta said culture is a form of identity for the group, which plays an important role in shaping its identity, adding that the Ministry of Agriculture also has its own culture that ensures that the Ministry’s economic empowerment programmes were inclusive, regardless of one’s status in society.

For example, she said the newly launched programmes of Temo Letlotlo and Thuo Letlotlo were inclusive “as they cater for the young, old, people with disabilities, among others. She, therefore, urged the ministry staff to nurture the culture.”

For that reason, the Permanent Secretary expressed delight that the Ministry intends to hold the event annually. By doing so, she said it would give the staff a moment to pause and reflect, as sons and daughters of the Ministry of Agriculture, on the things of great substance that worked for the Ministry throughout the years and discard those that did not add value to humankind.

Therefore, the PS commended the event organisers for initiating a well thought and well executed event, which symbolised unity, tolerance and acceptance of cultural diversity.

“By breaking down stereotypes and fostering acceptance, culture day helps dismantle barriers and promotes a sense of belonging for the people,” she said. “The culture day should be a lesson to all of us that silos have no room in our Ministry and work together as departments. The Mindset Change campaign, as launched by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, signifies the importance of doing things differently, looking at the bigger picture and inculcating the spirit of unity and togetherness amongst ourselves,” she added.

That, Ms Chengeta said was a pre-requisite to reach the status of a high-income country, encouraging all the Ministry directors to cascade the spirit of togetherness and break the silos amongst Ministry departments.

As the nation readies for the general elections on October 30, 2024, she encouraged those who have registered to vote to go and exercise their constitutional right and vote. She also encouraged the Ministry staff to continue praying for Botswana to have peaceful, free and fair elections to foster the country’s growth as Africa’s shining example of democracy.

The day’s celebrations, which encompassed, amongst others, songs, dance, poems, artifacts and traditional cuisine and attire, were held under the theme: Promoting Cultural Diversity. ENDS.

Source : BOPA

Author : Lorato Gaofise

Location : GABORONE

Event : CELEBRATIONS

Date : 28 Sep 2024