26 Aug 2025

Inalegolo in Kgalagadi North District came alive on Friday as residents celebrated their rich and diverse cultural heritage through the first annual Inalegolo Culture Celebration.

The event brought together the village’s two main ethnic groups, Basarwa and Bakgalagadi, in a vibrant display of tradition, unity, and pride.

Held under the theme: Our Roots, Our Pride: Celebrating Inalegolo, Living Our Heritage, the festival showcased an array of traditional practices that form the backbone of life in Inalegolo. 

Villagers dressed in cultural attire, displayed hunting and gathering skills once central to survival, and shared wild fruits such as morama, mokwa, mokatse, kgwengwe which remain a staple in their history. 

Demostrations of traditional bows and arrows, fire-making techniques, pottery, woodcraft, leatherwork, and indigenous healing practices offered a glimpse into the community’s way of life before modern conveniences.

In his keynote address, Tau Grading general manager, John Motsumi, hailed the celebration as a vital step in preserving Inalegolo’s unique identity.

He praised Basarwa and Bakgalagadi for coexisting peacefully, calling it an example of cultural diversity worth emulating.

“Inalegolo is rich, not only in natural resources but also in knowledge and traditions,” he said. “It is only the people of Inalegolo who can deprive themselves of these riches. God has gifted you with land, heritage, and wisdom. By welcoming others to live among you, you will attract development through their knowledge and input, while keeping your traditions alive,” he said.

Motsumi emphasised that culture was the foundation of dignity and humanity, adding that even in today’s modern world cultural practices remained integral to life.

He cited marriage customs, where traditional ceremonies continued to precede civil unions, as a sign of culture’s enduring relevance.

With respect to the Basarwa traditions, he applauded their well-known expertise in animal tracking, noting that their skills often surpassed those of trained trackers.

“Their knowledge of the land and animals is unmatched, this is knowledge that should be part of research and preserved for future generations,” he said.

Motsumi further shared that Basarwa songs were healing, adding that a lot of people have been healed through these songs, hence the need to continue preserving such culture.

He also defended the use of traditional medicine, stressing that it should not be dismissed as witchcraft but recognised as a valuable resource for healing.

Motsumi further highlighted Thobega, a traditional skill for treating broken bones, as an example of indigenous knowledge that must be safeguarded.

“We need to preserve this wisdom so that it does not disappear, as future generations also deserve to know it,” he urged.

He further called for unity and cooperation, and further encouraged residents to work closely with village leadership, arguing that communities that respected their leaders were the ones that grew.

 He also urged newcomers settling in Inalegolo to do so with humility and respect for locals, cautioning against arrogance or disregard for village traditions.

In a gesture of commitment to the festival’s continuity, Motsumi, together with his associate company Bothakga Burrow, pledged P20 000 towards next year’s cultural celebration.

“I will continue encouraging initiatives that uplift this village. Culture is the track of life, it gives us dignity, identity, and purpose. It must be preserved with utmost care,” he said. For her part, Kgosi Keamogetse Ghubi of Inalegolo said the cultural celebration was especially close to her heart, describing it as an opportunity for her people to reflect on their heritage and uncover the richness of their history. She expressed gratitude to the youth for their participation in the inaugural event, noting that their involvement was a positive sign for the preservation of culture. Kgosi Ghubi highlighted the unique makeup of Inalegolo, which was home to both the Bakgalagadi and Basarwa communities, adding that the differences between the two groups were not a source of division but rather a strength that continued to bind them together in unity. “Let the songs be sung, let us showcase our traditions, and let it be known that we take pride in our culture,” she declared.

She emphasised that the festival was an important step toward cultural preservation, especially at a time when many young people were growing up differently from past generations. Kgosi Ghubi further noted with concern that some youth have become wayward, underscoring the importance of initiatives that nurture them into responsible and grounded citizens. She concluded by urging her community to continue cherishing and celebrating their heritage, saying cultural pride and unity would serve as a foundation for building a stronger Inalegolo. ENDS