Heritage celebrations underway

MONKAGEDI GAOTLHOBOGWE
Staff Writer | Friday July 17, 2009 00:00

 

The heritage festivals started on July 12 with a celebration of religion. A church service by various Christian denominations was held at Boipuso Hall last Sunday as part of the prelude.

They continued on Tuesday with the opening of a national art exhibition as the country celebrated its array of  art talent at the National Museum and Art Gallery.  July 16 (yesterday) was put aside for choral choirs and poetry at  Maitisong in Maruapula, where  four choirs showcased their musical talents. The choirs this year are KTM (Gaborone), Serowe  Symphony, Mahalapye Youth Choir, and Gantsi Chorale.

Comedy and drama were the main highlights at the festival held yesterday at Mantlwaneng, Westwood. Comedians included Umchakachaka of Gweta. Dolly Philip of Francistown, Amaunderway of Francistown, Jacob Tsweneyagae, Mmoloki Mokoya, both from Maun, Ronnie Ronza of  Francistown,  Alex, Kaelo Diphofu of Jwaneng, Tebogo Leburu of Lobatse and Onks Onkabetse of  Gaborone.

Poetry section had  10 finalists. Competing drama groups at Mantlwaneng included Madiba of Mahalapye, Yoho, Gaborone, Ngami Theatre activists of Maun and Moremogolo of Jwaneng.

The festivities continue today at the SSKB Barracks, Mogoditshane, where lovers of traditional song and dance will be entertained by  18 groups in categories such as setapa, phatisi, hosanna, seperu, tsutsube, and sebirwa dance.

Lovers of  contemporary music will be spoilt for choice tomorrow, as the action goes to Tsholofelo Park where 12 musicians  will dish out their best tunes from  9am. The music category will have the best  newcomer, best backtrack artist and best live band sections, each with four finalists contesting for the coveted P25,000 first prize .

In the  best newcomer, Loshalaba group (traditional), will tackle Lesh D (kwaito), Winnie Mathaba (gospel), and Takatswana (traditional).

In the backtrack category, traditional music super star, Gong Master, will be up against ZCC man Gaolathe Komboo, as well as rhumba man Dedcoh and gospel queen Keba Phiri.

The live band section  pits Ndingo Johwa against the likes of Punah Gabasiane, Jeff Matheatau, and Obza & the Surroundings.

Still on Saturday  from 4pm,  it will be more traditional musical, as the art of playing  traditional  music instruments will be on display at the Botswana Television (Btv) Auditorium. All in all about 28  soloists and groups will be competing in katara, segaba, and setinkane. The most popular katara stars, Andries Bok and Stika Sola, from Werda and Maun respectively, are expected to give their fans  a treat.