Khama�s polka dance birthday bash
Zolani Kraai | Friday March 4, 2016 12:38
Khama’s attendance at the polka dance festival in Tsabong on Saturday, coincided with his birthday. Donning a maroon blazer, he sat relaxed in a visibly good mood. The President was turning 63.
Just when the sun was about to set, Khama took to the floor and danced to a breathtaking polka tune by locally acclaimed keyboardist, Ipopeng ‘Two Perekies’ Bapalang.
Suddenly, all the attention switched from the polka dancers to Khama with his much-improved polka moves from his earlier performances. The chief organiser and Kgalagadi District Coordinator from the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture (MYSC), Malebogo Masala said the event is a festival that is into its third year.
She, however, explained that the first event was a combination of various traditional dances, further explaining that the second and third event was solely meant to promote polka dance, with only one invitation extended to Ngwao Letshwao Traditional Group.
“The festival was motivated upon realising that Kgalagadi district has diverse culture hence our department’s role to support and motivate potential aspirants and ideas to improve it,” Masala said. She said previously polka was a household dance, but since the department’s interventions it has become a national event.
She said polka groups from Gaborone, Gabane, Kanye, Mochudi, Gantsi and Tonota were invited to showcase their talent.
Local groups from Bokspits, Struizendam, Khuis, and Khawa performed to the amazement of the crowds.
“The future is bright in as far as the growth of this festival is concerned, and we are liaising with relevant authorities in the district to have an association that will coordinate the festival in the near future. Ours is to drive the mandate of the department by providing guidance,” Masala said.