Domboshaba cultural village in the offing

MPHO TLALE
Correspondent | Thursday September 2, 2010 00:00

 

The cultural village will be the centre for the preservation, development and promotion of Kalanga heritage.  The cultural village will be built near the Domboshaba ruins and a plan for the proposed development has already been drawn.

Speaking at the dinner dance last weekend, former health minister Joy Phumaphi said the Domboshaba Cultural Village would bridge the divide between standard short stay tourism and a more holistic cultural experience.

She said the cultural village will aim to celebrate both ethnic and social diversity as well as the richness of a historic heritage that stretches from the period before the Banayi-Bakalanga Empire to today's vibrant global village.

Tickets for the well-organised event cost P750, a price that only the corporate chiefs can afford.  Representatives from the Diamond Trading Company (DTC), Botswana Building Society (BBS) and Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) graced the event.

Attendees also included the 'who's who' of the country, one of them walking away with a 0.53-carat rare white diamond that was sold to the highest bidder during an auction at the event.

Three lucky guests also won themselves prizes during a raffle.  Interestingly, the gifts were among the few traditional items that were presented at the highly Western-oriented event.  The third-prize winner won a goat, second prize: a traditionally designed mural, whilst the first prize winner took home an ox.

Disappointing, however, was a performance by renowned traditional music group, Culture Spears.  Lead singer Magdeline, who is known for her stage charm was also not in form, letting her backup dancers do all the donkey work.

The group performed songs, Mamalebogo and Jeremqne, from their latest offering.