25 Dec 2024

The Batswana of Angolan descent in Okavango District converged in Samochima to celebrate Christmas and to remember their roots. Speaking at the reunion, chairperson of Family Unity (Angolan), Mr Gaopalelwa Ronald said the families were descendants of Angolans who came to Botswana in the early 1960s. Mr Ronald, who is also Okavango District Council, chairperson said the aim of the reunion was to revive their lineage and culture. He said as Angolan descent they had unique cultural practices that should be observed in events such as weddings and funerals. Another speaker, Mr Martin Ndohe said Christmas was a time to celebrate with families hence an opportune time for them to host such an event. Mr Ndohe said the Angolan descent were from tribes of BaMbundu, Bachukwe and Bayemba whose forefathers came from different parts of Angola but whose languages had similarities. He said the Bachukwe were fishers while the BaMbundu were carpenters who were influenced by missionaries to become competent farmers in fruits, maize, beans and rice they planted throughout the year. Mr Ndohe urged them to follow in their forefathers footsteps to become capernters and farmers of repute to curb poverty. He said their wish was to be united as Angolan descendants across Botswana and to form a recognised association by Botswana and Angola. Ends