Dithubaruba celebrates culture in all its colours
Kabelo Boranabi | Tuesday September 8, 2026 10:33
Firmly rooted in Bakwena heritage, Dithubaruba has grown into a wider celebration of Botswana’s cultural diversity. This was evident from the opening sessions, where traditional groups took centre stage and set the tone for the festival. Amongst those who caught the eye were Dipela Tsaga Kobokwe from Molepolole and Bana Ba Kwena, also from the Bakwena capital. They delivered engaging performances that immediately connected with the audience.
Mmurubele also warmed up the stage during the afternoon with a brilliant performance, adding a contemporary feel to the early programme and building anticipation for the evening entertainment.
Traditional performances remained an important part of the festival, with phathisi, the dance strongly associated with the Bakwena, predominant.
It featured alongside other traditional forms such as setapa, tsutsube, seperu, diware, sebirwa, hosanna and dikhwaere.
Most of the traditional groups performed during the afternoon and early evening before the programme gradually moved towards contemporary traditional music.
That transition was one of Dithubaruba’s strengths. It showed that traditional culture does not have to remain locked in the past, but can evolve through music and performance while retaining its identity.
Mma Ausi arguably stole the show when she took to the stage later in the evening. She delivered a lively performance of some of her popular songs like “Lenna Ke Nyetswe”, “Magadigadi” and “Segonyana”, amongst others.
Her energetic set lifted the mood and appeared to set the stage for a rich late-night line-up featuring performers such as La Mmala, Ntate Skwena, Sticks Rakhiba and Kgokgonono. But just before midnight, the weather intervened.
At around 11pm, heavy rain descended on the venue, disrupting proceedings and affecting several performances scheduled for later in the night.
Some artists were unable to perform, leaving revellers disappointed after what had been a promising build-up.
The audience, however, refused to let the rain completely kill the atmosphere.
Those who braved the downpour gathered around the stands and kept spirits high through dikhwaere, turning the traditional singing into an unexpected soundtrack to the rainy night.
The presence of Bakwena from Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Namibia further gave the festival a regional dimension, highlighting cultural ties that extend beyond borders.
Although Dithubaruba remains fundamentally a Bakwena celebration, its openness to other cultures gives it a broader identity.
It allows different traditions to share the platform while maintaining the festival’s Bakwena roots.
Ultimately, the 18th edition delivered on culture and performance. From the traditional groups in the afternoon to Mma Ausi’s lively evening set, there was enough quality to keep audiences engaged.
The rain may have denied revelers several performances, but it could not wash away the spirit of the festival.