Mapantsula's 'Donty ka Okapi' campaign succeeds
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Tuesday May 16, 2023 09:41
The occasion was the Pantsula 'Donty ka Okapi' parade and dance competition grand finale.
Their colourful and fashionable outfits such as Dickies pants and the notorious kitchen-suit worn by domestic workers, t-shirts, shirts mostly check ones, stripe golf t-shits, trousers or shorts and bucket hats popularly known as spoti made the group of people look unique and interesting.
Their parade started at the Metsimotlhabe bus rank where they delivered messages, warning the public against use of Okapi knives and stabbing people. They proved that pantsula is more than just dance but also a culture, fashion and a way of life for many. At it is a norm, they danced to various disco music showcasing the beauty of their culture.
The event attracted a number of mapantsula from different places across the country. The event was not just a parade but also pantsula dance competition where mapantsula used their dance talents to convey the ‘Donty ka Thipa/Okapi’ message and some of them entertained revellers with sterling performances. While showcasing their beautiful performances, the talented pantsula dancers made sure they cautioned their peers against using or even carrying knives or even engaging in criminal acts.
Women pantsulas also showcased their dancing skills and most of them did well but there was a young woman who stole the audience’s hearts with her magical performance. They also made sure that they relayed the anti-knives message to the audience. They did show the uniqueness of the pantsula dance. The BPA president Peter Modise said they have 47 branches across the country and thousands of members. Modise added that since they established the association, Sepantsula grew drastically.
He also said the association focused on gender based violence (GBV), drugs and alcohol abuse and also gives back to the community. He added that 80% of their members were the youth most of whom were unemployed hence the need to host the ‘Donty Ka Okapi’ campaign and competitions with the help of the Ministry of Youth Gender, Sports and Culture (MYSC) to improve their lives. He said the MYSC assisted them with P400,000 to prepare for the competitions. After entertaining the audience with their spectacular dance moves, the winners on the group category included a group from Serowe, which scored 248 points and walked away with P25, 000.
Stshweneng group scooped position two with 242 points and walked away with P20,000, while a group from Jwaneng took position three with 190 points and won themselves P15,000. Rekopane, which scored 186 points, scooped position four and won P10,000 and lastly a group from Maun got position five with 182 points and walked away with P5,000.
In individual female category, Fenah Rannokgwane from Thamaga scooped first position with 206 points and walked away with P10,000 while Bame Goememang from Mahalapye scooped second position with 177 points and walked away with P8,000. City Ollas, whose real names are Boitumelo Sesinyi, got position three with 176 points and went home P6,000 richer, while Priscilla Ratladi from Lotlhakane East scooped the fourth position with 165 points and won herself P4,000.
Gofaone from Francistown got position five with 154 points and won P2,000. On the male category, Bontle Mzanywa from Francistown scooped position one and won himself P10,000, Koketso Sedisa from Serowe scooped position two with 231 points won P8,000, while Oemelenna Rekopane scooped position three with 230 points and won P6,000. Boloko from Zola took position four with 217 points and won himself P4,000 and Thabiso Ramogale got position five with 215 points and walked way P2,000 richer.