National Arts Festival 2025 kicks off
Larona Makhaiza | Wednesday July 9, 2025 16:30
Participants competed for various categories across the capital city, with some at Rainbow Secondary School, Tsholofelo Park and Maitisong in Maru A Pula.
At Maitisong, contestants battled it out for different categories, which included traditional instruments, poetry, mogolokwane and drama.
Compared to previous years, this year's festival did not draw a large number of contestants because of a standoff between the organisers and artists over prize money. The standoff played itself out at Rainbow as competitions started late, while some groups withdrew due to the same reasons.
However, at Maitisong, the competition was seamlessly right on track with contestants battling it all for a place at the regional finals. The atmosphere was electric as performers from different constituencies in Gaborone took to the stage.
In the traditional poetry category, Bontle Mokhomba from Gaborone South constituency captivated the audience with a compelling narrative that blended humour and wisdom, reflecting the community’s values and experiences, which earned her first place with 78% allocated to her.
Meanwhile, Kagiso Tito got 66.6% and followed Mokhomba in the Gaborone South constituency. He delivered a poignant poem aimed at addressing social issues, resonating deeply with the audience and judges alike.
Other constituencies featured one or two contestants from each category. From Bonnington South, it was only Kelebaone Chalo who obtained only 50% and while Gaborone Central was represented by only Mosimanewakgosi Mogodi, who obtained only 55%.
From Bonnington North, it was only Moanamisi Machola who got 70% and won the constituency as the sole competitor.
Meanwhile, under the drama category, it featured only the Bonnington South constituency and only two groups battled it out. Ikakanyeng won the constituency after a mesmerizing performance that kept the audience hooked throughout the entire performance. Their soulful performance earned them a whooping 91% while the Valley of Arts group got only 54% to settle for second place.
Results for the Mogolokwane category are as follows: Kgalalelo Gabotsalwe, who got position one with 60% in the Gaborone West constituency. Margaret Nnini, 64%, position, Bonnington South constituency. Gaborone North constituency was won by Dineo Seloko with 70% and was followed by Nancy Khurube with 46%. In Gaborone Central, it was won by Tsholofelo Mokgotha with 78% followed by Kenanao Regoeng with 74%, Keneetswe Tito with 54% and lastly Kgomotso Rose with 52%. For traditional instruments, results for Katara (Guitar) are: Aupa Kotase won Bonnington South constituency with 92% while second place went to Tiroentle Nnini with 91%. In Gaborone South, the only contestant, Katlholo Motshoge got 90% while Gaborone North was won by Ofentse Masane with 60% and Isaac Baarkaath got 50%.