Johwa, La Timmy, Team Distant headline Lobatse Beef Fest
Sharon Mathala | Friday May 22, 2015 15:25
The event organiser, Barolong Seboni, said yesterday at a press briefing held at the Oasis Motel he came up with the idea of hosting the beef festival back in 1988, but his ship could only set sail early 2013.
Seboni also said that the festival’s home ground is only fitting because of the origins of Botswana Meat Commission (BMC), which has its roots in Lobatse and has over the years contributed significantly to the economy of the country.
“The inaugural event, which was back in 2013 saw close to 2,000 people attend the event, and we have grown every year. We are now in the third year running and we are expecting just over 4,000 patrons next week,” he said.
“BMC is the major distributor of beef not only in Africa but the world. It was only fitting we celebrate beef as a major contributor in lives, economy, and also to bring attention to Lobatse as a possible investment town, which has for so many years been neglected and viewed as a ghost town,” said Seboni.
Because the Lobatse Beef Fest also has a lifestyle-oriented feature, 4x4 exhibits dubbed ‘Nkise Morakeng’ will also be on display as well as have face painting and a kiddie’s corner for families. There will also be the braai master competition. Seboni also stated, “On the next day, there will be an event dubbed ‘Jazz at LIBF’ featuring Ndingo Johwa and other various DJs. The jazz festival will be time to wind down from the more upbeat festival that would have been held the day before”.
Patrons can also expect the finest cut from BMC, who will be distributing beef for individuals to braai their own preferred way. The communications and public relations manager, Brian Dioka, asserted that only the finest beef will be offered. “We want Batswana to identify with the products of BMC. We want them to experience the quality of the BMC meat, and as such only the finest meat, which we export to other countries will be given out for free at the event,” he said. -fareast-language:EN-US; mso-bidi-language:AR-SA'>The music and culture week will end with a jazz festival at Botswanacraft headlined by South African crooner, Ringo Madlingos. Countryman Kyle Shepherd will also perform at the show. Emerging local jazz starlets Sethunya Maele and Mpho Sebina complete the lineup for the show.