Bana Ba Mmala Trust To Host Cultural Workshop

Spira Tlhankane | Monday February 18, 2019 12:02

 

With the theme this year being, “Kwa re go yang - Re Ipela” BBMT will bring together cultural activists and thought leaders for an interactive engagement around cultural issues with topics that include celebrating dirwe tsa Kgomo, cultural song and dance, the raising of a Setswana child and interrogating Sekgatla Koma.

“Botswana’s unique heritage is something we should all cherish and celebrate. As Bana Ba Mmala we have a strong commitment to investing in our culture to ensure the protection of our shared heritage for generations to come, and it is with such workshops that we hope to achieve this,” Kabelo Semele, Bana Ba Mmala Media Liaison said in a interview.Semele said he was particularly delighted to see that strong Tswana connections are also reflected in activities such as Son of The Soil and Batswana have shown appreciation for such initiatives.

“We would therefore like to encourage Batswana to come and join us at the upcoming workshop, to listen to and share their stories of our culture that we are so proud of,” he said. BBMT is a trust established by a group of Batswana to promote and preserve culture. SOTS is an event through which patrons get to indulge in ethnic local cuisine, cultural activities, games, dance, song, crafts, and poetry to celebrate culture and our sense of pride as Batswana.

SOTS cultural event started in January 2005 in Tlokweng. It was conceived, and is organised, by a group of youthful individuals known as Bana Ba Mmala to relive, learn and enjoy Botswana culture.

SOTS is an event that encourages all attending to participate in the day’s activities and be part of an exciting cultural re-awakening. All the proceeds from the fundraising activities, including from Son of the Soil cultural festival, are used for cultural research.

Semele said they have funded research and packaging of Botswana culture into chewable chunks.  He added that some of the research they have funded included the documenting of Setswana games (including modern ones), the documentation of old Setswana poetry, the packaging of tribal histories into three paragraph versions, the documentation of the Setswana attire and lastly the packaging of Botswana dances.

“We have also used any extra money that we generate as donation to a cause that we select each year. We have assisted in the establishment of a cultural day and annual marathon in Letlhakeng in the Kweneng administration district,” said.

“We have also donated towards the upkeep of the “I Am Special” children’s home in Tlokweng in the South-East administration district,” he concluded.