Yet Another Thrilling Edition Of Dithubaruba
Innocent Selatlhwa | Monday September 3, 2018 18:00
This however did not deter multitudes from gathering to enjoy Sekwena culture under the theme ‘My Culture, My Treasure’.
The event was attended by amongst others, former president and culture patron Ian Khama, Bangwato regent Kgosi Sediegeng Kgamane, American ambassador to Botswana Earl Miller, dikgosi, members of Parliament, Bakwena from different countries and many others. The assistant Minister for Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development Dikgang Makgelemele, who was the keynote speaker, praised Bakwena for preserving their culture through events like Dithubaruba.
“Molepolole is very rich in culture and it is possible to make it the cultural brand of the country. I commend you for preserving your culture and imparting it onto others. Culture helps raise the young ones into responsible citizens,” he said. Makgalemele called on the event organisers to take the event seriously and grow it to have global appeal.
After feasting on various Setswana delicacies at lunchtime, culture was celebrated with various activities from music to dance. Various traditional music and dikhwaere groups including Dipela tsa Kgobokwe, Bana Ba Kwena amongst others set the stage alight with energetic and passionate performances. It was more than just about phathisi which is popular in Mokwena, as there was also borankana, tsutsube and dihosana.
Solly Sebotso and Sebongile Kgaila serenaded the crowd with the magic of the four-string guitar to the much appreciation of the audience. Their guitars and vocals were pitch perfect.
Sua Pan also enjoyed massive cheering from the crowd before Marabi, Machesa, Gongmaster and Ditiro also gave sterling performances. Gongmaster and Ditiro who have an album together drove the crowd crazy as they shared the stage to perform their hit song Makanyane.
Dr Vom did his usual appearance performing the classic hit, Thobane, as people emerged from the stands to join the singer on stage. It was a beautiful sight as the crowd followed him around the arena with most wielding improvised ‘dithobane’ (knobkerries) to go with the song.
Performances continued into the night until Sunday morning. The organisers said the festival will only return to its original host place in 2020 after completion of construction currently taking place.