Ikalanga Cultural Festival billed for Sebina

Pini Bothoko | Wednesday November 25, 2015 15:47

Organised by Legendary Investments, the first Ikalanga Cultural Festival will run from December 23 to 24 with revellers wishing to party their way into Christmas.

According to the event coordinator, Kose Mmoloki, the festival to be held in a farm a few kilometres away from Sebina towards Makaleng village will start with a family fun day in the morning and an after-party in the evening. Mmoloki told Showbiz that different Ikalanga musicians and traditional groups will entertain spectators.   Popular Ikalanga jazz legend Ndingo Johwa leads the bill.

In most areas in the country there will be similar events to entertain members of the community such as the Homecoming Festival at Mahalapye, Clap your Hands Festival for Palapye, Pop Bottles for Serowe, Goledzwa in Francistown to mention but a few. “Just like in other areas in Botswana during the festive season we want to bring entertainment to our village.  Usually during the festive season there is nothing that keeps people busy here except football tournaments on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve hence the festival is relevant and we plan to host it annually,” said Mmoloki.

One of the leading Afro pop singers, Lizibo Simon, also Kalanga, will be amongst the musicians linedup for the event. Mmoloki said spectators would enjoy the Ikalanga traditional cuisine prepared with firewood and served hot. “The idea is for all to appreciate how we prepare our Ikalanga traditional cuisine.  There will be Ikalanga entertainment games tournament with prizes to be won and elders will narrate the Kalanga culture to the revellers,” said Mmoloki.

He said there would be a campsite to provide spectators with an outing experience at night and tickets will be sold at P50 and P250 for VIPs.

“During the festive season a majority of people working far will be home hence the event is meant for the Kalanga people to gather in one area and learn more about their culture,” said Mmoloki.

Asked how this event will differ from the annual Domboshaba Cultural Festival, Mmoloki said the one is meant to promote Domboshaba ruins, but theirs promotes the Ikalanga culture and tradition in general. a Mokgadi, Tebogo Kesupile (vice chairperson), Girish Ramakrishna, Biki Mbenge, Neo Gwafila-Bolayane, Tsoseletso Magang, Gaokgakala Lemmenyane, Stephen Stoneham, Dr Odiseng Lesedinyana, Setshidi Botlholeng Moopi, Tebogo Lebotse Sebego, Mpho Gaobakwe and Tiny Diswai-Moremi.