Motlhabaneng flourishes with culture

ONALENNA MODIKWA
Staff Writer | Thursday June 12, 2008 00:00

 

The activities ranged from poems, dikgafela, folks, traditional meals, to dances.

Speaking during the event, Re tla re ke dipitse representative Godfrey Maake stated that they found it apt to emulate other tribes that have already 'gone an extra mile' in celebrating their respective cultures.

He added that they hence found it appropriate to start the cultural revival programme in Bobirwa. They are also contemplating making it an annual event celebrated in different villages each year. 'Our main intention is to revive Sebirwa culture that is now dying and to meet one of the national Vision 2016 pillars.

Maake urged all Babirwa authorities to get together and find the best way to organise the event. The guest speaker, Kgosi Kgari Sechele 111, of Bakwena, said culture is a symbol of intelligence that the tribe has and mirrors what the people learnt as they grew up for the benefit of future generations'. This influences their language, attire, behaviour and norms and values. He said culture can also differentiate one tribe from anthers as it influences the way they do things, citing funerals and wedding arrangements.

Kgosi Sechele added that culture is dynamic because of changes in society. 'Some of these changes are acceptable in our society while some erode our culture.

The new technologies have brought positive changes in that we are now living in a global village through new technologies like telephone networks.'

He however said that the schools and work, which forces people to leave their villages in search of greener pastures, contribute to cultural erosion. The chief expressed pity that some parents fail to teach their children traditional practices that are acceptable in society only to turn around and blame government and children's human rights organisations.

'I do not think the government is to blame. Discipline your children and be proud of your culture,' Kgosi Sechele said.