Balete Celebrate Letsatsi La Barwa Kgodumo
Spira Tlhankane | Monday September 12, 2016 15:48
Dubbed letsatsi la barwa Kgodumo, the day began with a beautiful performance from a group of elderly band mates from Ramotswa called Ditlhaka Traditional Group. The group plays ditlhaka (reed/pipe) and they joyfully filled the Balete kgotla with soulful sounds.
Playing in unison, the elderly men could play different sounds ranging from soprano, alto, tenor and bass. As they blew the air into blowpipe Ditlhaka received a lot of appreciation from the crowd. They have an album out called ‘Mmajong’.
Afterwards Diphala Choir serenaded everyone with traditional choir music (Dikhwaere). The excitement reached fever pitch when a group of four poets called Merogolwane ya Poko took the stage. One of the poets started of by reciting a praise poem for Balete, “Ditlhaolela nageng, namane tse di dinaka diobe”. Another poet described the unity of Balete using a metaphor, “re beleganye jaaka dithulaganyane tsa monna wa setswerere”.
The poets also praised Kgosi ya Balete Mosadi Seboko. “Mmaophala o phala batho, mosadi is a better organised man,” he said. The favourite with the crowd, was one who repetitively used the phrase “Ke jewa ke sengwe”.
Successful jazz afro sensation from Ramotswa Nnunu Ramogotsi, took to the stage with her song Role la tsie from her Mmasonoko debut album. Elderly women of the village joined her as they joyfully danced together. She sealed her performance with the title track of her album Mmasonoko. Nnunu then asked Balete to vote for her at the AFRIMA awards. The talented musician has been nominated under the Best Female Southern Africa category.
When giving her welcome remarks, Kgosi Seboko was quick to highlight Nnunu Ramogotsi’s musical success as an inspiration to other Balete artists. “Vote for her and most importantly pray for her,” she said.
She said other artists should work together as the tribe arrange from the upcoming holidays. “We have potential so let us stand up,” she said.
Seboko said Balete should resuscitate culture and pass it on to other generations.
She said culture keeps the tribe together hence the theme bana ba kgwale ba bitsana ka melodi.
“Kgwale is a bird with a peculiar sound and that sound represent the culture that keeps us together,” she said.
Balete Kgosi called upon mephato ya Bogwera le Bojale to lead way as the preparations for the golden jubilee celebrations. She said the recent graduates called Mabopatshaba should prove their worth as a fresh mophato. Seboko said other mephato like Madisamotse and Matsosangwao should also contribute.
For her part, Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) representative Keitumetse Setlang said these days various tribes in Botswana are standing up to restore culture. She said the theme is relevant because it encourages the spirit of togetherness.
“The nation has a lot of interest in learning about different cultures,” she said. She said the youth should start by upholding culture and learning from the elders.
Setlang said the day is relevant to BTO because it involves aspects such as botho, food, dress and most importantly hospitality. Setlang said in order for these events to attract people from outside, organisers should provide the best hospitality for their guests.