SATO celebrates culture
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Tuesday August 29, 2017 16:54
The event attracted Southern Africa Teachers Organisation (SATO) members from countries such as Zambia, Lesotho, South Africa, Tanzania, Swaziland and the host country Botswana. The members’ different cultural dance and songs kept the audience from other countries intrigued.
A gifted singer, Chedza spoiled the audience with songs from different music genres such as pop music and also sung one of Abba’s popular song Fernando and others.
Botswana Teacher’s Union (BTU) gave the audience a taste of the country’s traditional dance presentation. BTU Cultural Dance Crew treated the audience with different dance and songs ranging from dikopelo, tsutsube, setapa and phathise.
Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland also treated the audience with exquisite performances. Groups from different countries adorned colourful and beautiful traditional attires.
The audience from different countries was also dressed in their unique attires, each representing their culture. However, the day could have not been complete without BTU Bandwith beautiful performances. The band treated the audience with various songs representing different countries in Africa. Some of the songs that kept the audience on their feet were Morwadia Kgosi Ka Mabela, Abuti Thabiso, a song by Lesotho’s famous singer Steve Kekana, and Tanzania’s popular song Shari Yako by Orchestra Super Mazembe.
Giving his keynote address, SATO president Henry Kapenda said the aim of the cultural night was to enhance the solidarity of teachers across SADC countries through sports or games and the SATO cultural night.
“It is up to us as Africans to celebrate and be proud of our cultures. If you are not proud of your culture then you are not fit to live. Our culture is engulfed by the Western culture. When we go back to our homes we shall not go back the way we came. We must be pregnant of culture,” he said.
Kapenda also announced that SATO games and cultural night would be held in Harare, Zimbabwe next year. He ended by applauding the participants of the hard work and unity shown during the two events. He also applauded the hosts (BTU) for a great hospitality.