Kanye gears up for Kuka La Ngwao 24-Hours Dikhwaere Festival
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Monday April 27, 2026 06:00
That is the promise of the Kuka La Ngwao 24-Hours Dikhwaere Festival, a celebration of song, dance, and Setswana heritage under the theme Segarona Sengwaketse Ka Monate.
“My name is Edison Bareng, the visionary behind the Kuka La Ngwao 24-Hours Dikhwaere Festival,” says the event organiser. “As the event organiser, I am committed to promoting Botswana’s cultural heritage through music and traditional expression.” For Bareng, the 24-hour format is not a gimmick. It is a statement. The 24-hour dikhwaere event symbolises cultural continuity, unity, and endurance. The event seeks to revive and celebrate indigenous choral traditions while fostering pride in Setswana identity and heritage,” he added.
Six choirs will carry that mission through the night and into the next day: Themba, Vultures Mmabadisa, Dinkwe, Dithaga, and Vultures Mekwele, all from the Southern District, Kanye. Their presence ties the festival to the place. “These groups reflect the rich cultural diversity of the nation, with strong participation from regions associated with Bangwaketse heritage and beyond,” Bareng explains.
What sets dikhwaare apart is its refusal to separate sound from story. “Dikhwaere are rooted in Setswana tradition and are distinguished by powerful harmonies and call-and-response singing, rhythmic clapping and synchronised movements, and storytelling that reflects history, values, and community life.” Bareng adds, “Unlike Western choral forms, dikhwaere integrate music, dance, and oral tradition into a holistic cultural experience.”
That experience demands serious preparation. Choirs train for endurance, not just pitch. “Choirs undergo rigorous rehearsals focusing on vocal endurance, harmony, and breath control. Physically, performers engage in stamina training, coordinated choreography, and wellness practices such as hydration, proper nutrition, and scheduled rest periods,” Bareng says.
The messages will be as layered as the harmonies. Audiences can expect themes of unity and cultural pride, heritage and identity, spirituality and morality, social responsibility and community development, patriotism and intergenerational wisdom. Each choir’s look and movement will carry meaning. “Uniforms and colour schemes reflect each choir’s identity, values, and heritage. Traditional designs and symbolic colours are carefully selected to complement lyrical themes. Choreography is collaboratively developed to enhance storytelling and stage presence.”
Elders remain central to the process. “Elders and traditional leaders provide cultural oversight, ensuring authenticity and adherence to Setswana customs. Their guidance preserves tradition, validates lyrical content, and reinforces respect for heritage.” That oversight will be felt in the presence of Special Guest Kgosi Malope II, Paramount Chief of Bangwaketse and Chairman of the House of Chiefs, alongside other dignitaries.
The festival runs in scheduled performance segments across the full 24 hours. “Adjudicators assess choirs based on vocal quality and harmony, cultural authenticity, choreography and stage presence, and creativity and overall presentation,” Bareng notes. Behind the performances is a network of planning. “Organising a 24-hour event presents logistical challenges, including transportation, catering, security, accommodation, and technical coordination. Dedicated teams have been established to ensure seamless operations and the welfare of performers and attendees.”
For Bareng, the deeper work is preservation. “The festival serves as a living archive of Setswana heritage. Through traditional lyrics, idioms, proverbs, and oral narratives, it safeguards language and cultural identity while educating younger generations.”
First-timers should come ready. “First-time attendees can expect an immersive celebration of music, dance, and cultural pride in Kanye,” Bareng says. “They are encouraged to dress comfortably and warmly, stay hydrated, prepare for extended engagement, and embrace a vibrant and authentic cultural experience.”
The goal stretches beyond one night. “The legacy of the Kuka La Ngwao 24-Hours Dikhwaere Festival is to inspire cultural pride and ensure the preservation of Botswana’s musical traditions. It aims to nurture young talent, strengthen community bonds, and position Dikhwaere as a celebrated cultural asset locally and internationally.”
When the last note fades at Montshiwa Grounds, the point will not be who sang longest. It will be the one who listened closest. For 24 hours, Kanye will hold a mirror to Setswana identity, and ask all of us to see ourselves in the song.