27 Oct 2025

Dikgosi have been encouraged to be vision bearers for their communities, a role they are empowered to fulfil through Bogosi Act.

This was said by Mr Tumelo Seboko, Acting Deputy Director in Tribal Administration, during his address at the Mmakgodumo Festival on Saturday.

Mr Seboko referenced Kgosi Malope II’s visionary statement expressing his desire to see the Mmakgodumo area fenced and for wildlife to be introduced within this secured environment to enhance the region’s tourism potential.

He said maximising the area could help Bangwaketse generate income through lease rentals and other activities. Mr Seboko noted that the current government encouraged councils to self-finance, thereby creating their own revenue streams. 

He urged Bangwaketse to recognise that this principle was not limited to councils; communities can also adopt it. Mr Seboko praised the business community for giving back to the areas in which they operated, noting that the community expected businesses to contribute similarly to cultural initiatives.

He described the festival as a return to the roots and heartbeat of Batswana, explaining that the Mmakgodumo site was sacred as it carried the stories of Bangwaketse ancestors, tales of courage, wisdom and unity that continued to shape both Bangwaketse and Batswana.

The festival’s theme, ‘Ngwao Lore, Seikokotlelo’ (My Culture, My Pride), celebrated heritage, creativity, sustainable growth, and the importance of harnessing culture for Botswana. It served as a reminder that identity was a greatest asset.

He stated that through cultural tourism, Botswana was unlocking new opportunities and attracting visitors to its rich heritage, diverse landscapes and warm hospitality.

According to him, the festival’s diverse programme showcased vision in action, including traditional games, cultural music and dance, poetry recitals and exhibitions of crafts and heritage cuisine.

“Each activity rekindles Botswana’s cultural flame while creating new pathways for entrepreneurship, tourism and social inclusion,” he said.

Mr Seboko said that the government was inspired by the Mmakgodumo initiative, which alignsed with broader development goals outlined in the National Development Plan 12  and the Botswana Economic Transformation Plan (BETP).

Furthermore, he noted that these frameworks recognised the creative economy and cultural industries as powerful engines of transformation that created jobs, attracted investment and strengthened social cohesion while preserving Botswana’s heritage.

He urged Bangwaketse to invest in cultural academies, creative workshops, heritage tourism ventures and small enterprises rooted in tradition.

“Let Mmakgodumo continue to serve as a gateway opportunity and a space where young people find inspiration, where entrepreneurs find markets and where culture has its rightful place in Botswana’s economy”, he said.

Bathoen II Trust chairperson Prince Chibana said culture is a non-tangible asset that could be packaged and sold both locally and internationally to better lives.

He said today locals have inter-relationships with internationals and further cautioned that in the pursuit towards selling cultural tourism, they should be vigilant that it is not exploited by foreigners on non-profitable basis. He said this would improve the socio- economic status without forgetting the cultural taboos of Bangwaketse.

Moreover, he said the trust should work hard to protect and preserve the environment and that it could only be achieved when the trust has funds to change the packaging of the assets for the market.

As the chairperson, he acknowledged the mismanagement of the Mmakgodumo environment by some locals hence Kgosi ‘Malope II’ s concern over the need to fence the area.’

He pleaded with Debswana, who have always been supportive from the past year, to consider Kgosi Malope II ‘s request; to fence the bird sanctuary and stock wildlife. He said it would reduce the trust’s over dependence from the sponsor.

For his part, the Senior Strategy, Transformation and Innovation, Mr Ponalo Tshosa, said Debswana was proud to be involved in a demonstration of Botswana’s rich culture.

“We saw it fit to support again with P70,000,” he said, adding that Kanye was a strategic partner to the mine as they have employed miners from the village and other villages in Ngwaketse area.

He said Debswana was a strong proponent of economic diversification and Mmakgodumo event has a high potential to grow cultural tourism as an economic activity in the area.

He said  Debswana’s future plans have a strong cultural and eco-tourism aspects and they at Jwaneng Mine believed the event would help as launch pad for that. ENDS