Kgathi urges lecturers to help preserve culture

SHINGIRAI MADONDO
Correspondent | Wednesday March 7, 2012 00:00

In his keynote address at the Francistown College of Education (FCE) Culture Day celebrations, Kgathi said teachers, as role models play an important role in moulding and influencing children's behaviours and attitudes.

Urging teachers to be the vanguards of the nation's disappearing culture, the minister said to a Standard One pupil, an educator is always right saying teachers hold a powerful position in inculcating the right values into the future generations.

'We must be constantly mindful of its (culture) importance. There are examples around the world today of tribal and religious intolerance that tear societies apart. And this provide us with stark reminders of the consequences if we allow our society to fragment,' he said.

According to Kgathi, just like colonialism threatened local traditions and cultures there is a similar situation today with increasing globalisation following the acceptance of other cultures from various parts of the world.

The trend seems to be driving towards having a homogeneous society where as a result, keeping alive ancient traditions and cultures is a daunting task and as such the efforts by teachers 'will go a long way in ensuring that future generations benefit from the richness of the cultural values of Botswana', he said.

Kgathi recognised the role that teachers have played over the years in promoting culture through coaching traditional song and dance groups during extra-curriculum activities in government schools across the country.

He said the traditional music has now influenced the local music industry and the country continues to see a lot of creativity in promoting Botswana culture through music following the rising of musical stars like Naledi Kaisara (Slizer) and Shumba Ratshega of the popular Makirikiri fame.

'These are the fruits of your hard labour. Your efforts need to be commended and appreciated at all levels. Do not allow anyone to contaminate the teaching profession by persuading you to refrain from some of the duties you have been performing. Continue preserving the culture of Botswana,' Kgathi said.

He urged teachers to take the gospel of culture promotion to different parts of the country after graduation.