20 Aug 2025

The revival of Dikgafela in Ranaka symbolises a profound connection to Setswana heritage and highlights the importance of community resilience in the face of environmental challenges.

Kgosi Moemedi Telekelo of Ranaka emphasised the significance of the celebration as a moment for Batswana to express gratitude for their harvests, recognising the cultural and historical roots that bound the community together. In an interview during the event on recently in Ranaka, Kgosi Telekelo said the preparing for Dikgafela involved gathering of essential crops such as maize, beans and sorghum, which were stored in communal granaries under the chief’s supervision.

He said this produce was stored in Difalana, communal granaries that served as vital lifelines during hardships like droughts, with the chief overseeing fair distribution to affected families. Kgosi Malepa Orekeng pointed out the importance of Dikgafela as a preparatory phase for the Kike cultural festival, underscoring its role in sustaining and promoting Setswana culture.

Ms Monica Telekelo , who is one of the organisers, highlighted the challenges posed by climate change, which has led to droughts and diminished agricultural output, prompting the community to focus more on self-sustainability by growing their own crops. To fully appreciate this event, she said it was essential to delve deeper into its cultural, historical and contemporary significance.

Ms Telekelo’s candid admission about halting Dikgafela due to prolonged dry spells’ highlighted a poignant reality: climate change is eroding traditional practices in Botswana. She said the country has faced severe droughts in recent decades, exacerbated by global warming, leading to reduced crop yields and water scarcity.

Sorghum, a drought-resistant staple central to Setswana cuisine and bojalwa brewing, has become harder to source commercially, prompting the community’s shift toward self-cultivation, a proactive step toward sustainability. Ms Telekelo said this revival in Ranaka ‘is not just nostalgic, it is a defiant act of cultural preservation amid environmental pressures. She said the revival of Dikgafela was a statement against the backdrop of modern environmental challenges. 

“It serves as a platform for educating younger generations about their heritage while also reinforcing community bonds. As such, Dikgafela is not merely an annual event; it represents a collective identity, a commitment to environmental stewardship and a tribute to the resilience of the Batswana culture,” she said.

This celebration is a testament to how communities can adapt and thrive even in the face of adversity, ensuring that their traditions endure. ENDS