03 Sep 2026

Cultural and entertainment enthusiasts are expected to gather at Ntsweng Museum (Kwa-ga-MmaKgosi) in Molepolole for the 18th edition of the annual Dithubaruba Cultural Festival, a celebration of Bakwena heritage and Botswana’s rich cultures and traditions. 

Over the years, the festival has grown into one of the country’s premier cultural events, showcasing traditional dance, music, poetry, basket weaving, pottery, wood carving, and other cultural expressions collectively known as Sekwena. 

Dithubaruba Festival Coordinator and Curator of the Kgosi Sechele I Museum, Power Kawina said this year’s event will feature about 40 traditional groups, including both emerging performers and renowned cultural icons.  Revelers will enjoy 24 hours of uninterrupted cultural performances, with Borankana and Phathisi ya Mokwena expected to keep audiences entertained from Saturday morning until Sunday morning.

 He said Kgosi Kgari III has invited Bakwena from other countries including those from Phokeng, Ba-ga-Moletje, Ba-ga-Mogopa, Ba-ga-Modimoosana and Ba-ga-Phalane from South Africa including all other local tribes. 

Kawina said what will be distinct is that the event has also attracted groups that will be making their maiden appearance and visiting group from South Africa representing Tswana tribes such as Barolong to come and share and exchange culture.  He said Dithubaruba was an international cultural festival as it has long passed the stage of being referred as a local event since it attracts all local traditional and cultural groups “The event will also feature representation from other organs in Southern Africa,” he said.

 Kawina said the event will feature diversity in terms of musical performances and exhibition of cuisine, fashion and businesses presenting the diverse culture. He Dithubaruba was without doubt an ideal and unchallenged entertainment spot for Bakwena. The event is sponsored by ABSA Botswana, with additional support from Kalahari Breweries Limited (KBL) and the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA). 

Mr Kawina said the festival will officially open with the delivery of Dikgafela at 1000hrs on Saturday before the official opening ceremony, which will be officiated by the Minister of Sports and Arts and Member of Parliament for Takatokwane, Jacob Kelebeng. 

A highlight of this year’s programme will be a cultural competition where elders will showcase their cultural talent in a fierce competition of borankana jwa Sekwena where the winner will receive a goat instead of a cash prize. He said the competition will reflect the Sekwena culture as it was a norm in the good old days that when the elderly compete in borankana jwa Sekwena, the winner will receive a goat, being a practice for rewarding excellence and cultural preservation. Kawina said this year’s festival is particularly significant as it coincides with Botswana’s 60th Independence celebrations. Additionally, he said the month of September was memorable in the Bakwena history as it was time when the fought to protect the country’s territorial integrity during the Battle of Dimawe. 

Therefore, he said as Bakwena hold Dithubaruba Cultural Festival and celebrate the country’s 60th Independence, the festivities will equally reflect on how Bakwena saved the country to grow into what it is by winning the Battle of Dimawe in 1852. “It is a big milestone that Bakwena have done for the country,” he said. He said the journey has been a success as the festival continues to grow and sustain the diverse and rich culture of Sekwena and ensure that it contributed positively to changing lives.  Held under the theme “Unlocking Our Heritage, Transforming Our Destiny,” the festival seeks to demonstrate how culture can contribute to economic development and improve the livelihoods of Batswana, particularly residents of Kweneng District.

 “In my view the cultural festival is growing in various aspects including the attendance, attraction of investors with vested interest in the development of culture, cultural development, interest from other countries as well as the increase in partners who are sponsoring the festival and the boost of cultural tourism,” he said.

 Reflecting on the name Dithubaruba, Kawina according to some oral historians, it was coined during the battle of Bakwena with other tribes. 

He said Dithubaruba is also the name of a location where Bakwena fought at, also known as Dithejwane. “Some say, it was a safe place, where women, children, the elderly and the sick will harbour when enemies attack,” he said. Tickets are priced at P75 for children, P200 for general admission and P750 for VIP access. ENDS