Tonota to host 10th National Culture Day
Lindiwe Mozola | Thursday May 21, 2015 18:00
The annual festivity is expected to thrill attendees with a large variety of traditional cuisine, dance, music, games and fashion among others.
According to MYSEC senior programme officer, Thelma Chaya, they have chosen Tonota as the host for the 10th anniversary celebrations due to the fact that it has diversity of cultures that includes Bakalaka, Basarwa, Barotsi, Bazezuru and Bakhurutshe among others. “We found it fit to hold this event in Tonota as it is one village that encompasses a variety of multi-cultures therefore the event will accommodate various cultures,” she explained. She added that the day is celebrated annually on a rotational basis to give every Motswana an opportunity to showcase their culture. Last year, it was held in Mmopane and a place is yet to be chosen for the next year’s event.
“The day provides people with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the values of cultural diversity and to learn to live together better,” she added. She also said the day is meant to conserve culture in Botswana and as government they have realised that cultural norms and beliefs are being eroded by modern developments. Therefore, it is a day like national culture day that they play a part in probing moral decay and reviving culture in the country. Chaya further said that the day is celebrated in May every year. However, due to the minister’s tight schedule they moved it a day further. She noted that the festivity would start with a pre-event that will be held at Tonota kgotla today to build the hype and a prelude of the real event.
The day would be serenaded by traditional dances that include dikhwaere, a Seperu dance group all the way from Maun, hosanna dance group from Francistown, and a polka dance group from Bobonong among others. Renowned DJ Gouveia is also lined up to give a sizzling performance at the pre-event.
The controversial traditional musician Shumba Ratshega, born Moses Malapela, will be the cherry on top at the main event with his rich command of Setswana.