Inaugural Thobo Festival gets lukewarm reception
Kebofhe Mathe | Tuesday May 12, 2015 18:00
Translated into English, Thobo means harvest. Despite starting way behind schedule and attracting a relatively small crowd, the event was well organised.
Not withstanding the fact that it was a year of low harvest as a result of low rainfall, the organisers still managed to get a variety of produce.
The food included tswii, traditional beer, watermelons, groundnuts, maize and a host of many other local delicacies.
The festival is a cultural initiative by some Lobatse community members. Its objectives are to promote indigenous cultures through poetry, music, and stimulation of trade in local foods. The festival is also aimed at showcasing talent in the arts and crafts in order to enhance the lives of the community. One of the organisers, Tshepo Thedi, said the funds raised from the festival would be donated to various charity organisations in Lobatse and the surrounding villages.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Trade and Industry, Sadique Kebonang, private secretary, Ernest Phiri, said culture acts as a bond among the people who share the same values and traditions among other things.
“This distinguishes them from other peoples. People identify themselves with a group because of culture. They get a sense of belonging and they pride themselves from such,” he said.
Phiri said every group of people has norms, which determine the behaviour of different gender and age-groups.
Deputy mayor, Tiro Mokwena, said the event was not just for eating and dancing, emphasising that it is important for attendants to learn how the various foods are prepared.
He emphasised the need to teach the younger generations about the importance of culture. Mokwena implored the organisers not to be discouraged by the poor attendance.
Popular poet and jazz musician, Benson Phuthego, led a group of performers who provided entertainment at the event.
They included Tshipi Tsa Poko, Sbonda, Crazy Dog, Lekgotla, Matlotla, Abdul Poem and Maholosiane A Bochabela from Tlhareseleele.
Matlotla Traditional Group provided the most intriguing moment at the show as they demonstrated the traditional method of using selei for transport. Members partnered in a similar fashion that oxen would to pull the wooden cart.