Embrace your culture - Maele tells Batswapong
Bonte Seepi | Tuesday August 30, 2016 17:07
In his remarks at the Batswapong Cultural Day recently, Maele said that Batswapong must know that they are part of Batswana. He said it is a shame that youth are always scarce in activities that involved culture, saying that Batswapong must help each other to celebrate the day. “There is no how we can change from being Batswapong so let’s embrace our ethnic group and be proud about who we are. Let this be our mark but let us avoid tribalism because it is one of the main reasons of war in many African countries. Rather, let our mark be a contribution to nation building of our country,” said Maele. The minister further encouraged Batswapong to seek something that is unique about their ethnic group, saying that is very important. He also encouraged documentation of Batswapong cultural history as he said culture is dynamic hence it would help the coming generation to also understand their cultural roots.
He said even though culture is not static, Batswana must not change everything but rather choose what to change. He encouraged the people to learn other languages like Chinese for easy cultural exchange.
“Culture is diverse so we should not be afraid to learn other people’s cultures not necessarily changing our own roots,” said Maele.
He encouraged the event organisers, Lentswe La Batswapong Association to look for land where they can hold their event every year and make it big like Dithubaruba and Domboshaba. Batswapong representative at Ntlo Ya Dikgosi who was also the guest speaker Kgosi Galeakanye Modise said everything concerning culture should be detailed when talking about culture.
“Let us know what culture entails, our lives, our food, clothing, our equipment. Our upcoming generations should know how we lived,” he said.
He said that in the past Batswana respected their culture and children listened to their parents that is why there were low cases of crime and other indecent activities. He said if culture cannot be preserved the future generation would be lost. However, Modise challenged Batswana not only to embrace culture, but also welcome some new developments and assess how they affect our culture and see what to choose and what not to choose from such. He emphasised that Batswana ought not to welcome everything that comes along with developments hence that will lead to abandoning their own culture.
“We have to see how we can preserve our culture nationally because the issue is now a national concern. Some parents are even praising their children for not knowing their own language, Setswana and speaking only English. Let’s stand up for our culture because people whom we are copying their cultures do not care about others,” said Modise.
Kgosi also encouraged Batswapong to approach the leaders and show them that they can stand on their own and not be under Bangwato. However, he said that should be done properly without conflicts. He said that is when Batswapong tribe can grow on its own without being mothered.
During the event, Batswapong showcased different foods such as lerophela, morutha, mogorogorwane, leruswa, sesoswane, kabu, sekachekache and tools such as difalana.
According to various speakers, Batswapong originate from Ga-Mmalebogo in South Africa and they settled in the area around 1700 led by Kgosi Pedi Mabulane. It is said they came through Tsetse Hill, now known as Tsetsejwe village.