17 Aug 2026

Acts of vandalism and theft of property continues to hamper the work of Bokamano Conservation Trust in Mapoka. The trust’s treasurer , Mr Edward Kealotswe said in an interview that a guardroom and another building at the trust premises were broken into and goods stolen. 

He said incidents of theft and vandalism was not new, stating that the trust used to have beehives within the complex, but thieves illegally harvested honey. Additionally, he said they also reared guinea fowls, chickens and rabbits, which were also stolen, rendering efforts of the trust futile. 

Mr Kealotswe indicated that while the trust was established for preservation of culture, it was also playing a role in helping wherever possible in the village. Currently, he said Bokamano Conservation Trust was assisting with construction of gabions at four spots in the village where rainwater had eroded the soil. 

Talking to the mandate of the trust, Mr Kealotswe said it revolved around the promotion and preservation of Bakalanga culture. 

He said with Mapoka being one of the villages where Hosana Ritual Dance originated, the trust would establish a cultural village where such an aspect of culture, including the Bakalanga traditional artifacts, would be archived. 

The cultural village would both generate revenue for the trust and also serve as an educational tool on Bakalanga history and cultural heritage. ENDS