Balete welcome bojale in style

NNASARETHA KGAMANYANE
Correspondent | Monday August 26, 2013 00:00

 

Men and women, boys and girls, the old and the young, the blind and the able bodied did not want to be left out. The morafhe (tribe) gathered anxiously at the Kgotla, not only to embrace their culture, but witness history as the initiation school has been on an unannounced recess for three decades.The atmosphere was quite jovial with women dressed in traditional attire with captivating designs and patterns.The human traffic was at its peak as everybody wanted to see the 83 initiates who braved the July winter to graduate into womanhood.

The Kgotla was filled to capacity and some people had to stand while others climbed the walls to enjoy the beautiful performances. Some of the villagers waited by the roadside where they could clearly see they initiates who wore leather skirts with matching bra-tops and beads.The day was spiced up with various traditional activities where most performers showcased Selete culture. Famous Balete Ditlhaka Traditional Group made up by elder men did not disappoint. The members beautifully played their ditlhaka music as they proudly danced. Morogo Wa Ngwana did not want to be left out as they stole the audience' attention with a splendid performance.

Poet Thabang Mosemedi gave the audience a performance filled with jokes, leaving the crowd in laughter. His poem was rich in Setswana proverbs and made the elders nod in approval while the women could not stop ululating.Andante Chorus kept the audience captivated with their amazing melodies.Welcoming the mophato (the initiates), who were named Matsosa-ngwao like their male equivalents who graduated last year, Kgosi Mosadi Seboko commended the group for the quest to revive Selete culture.She dispelled a misconception that only children or people from other wards are sent to the initiation school while those from the royal house remained behind. 'I would like to inform you today that, that is not true. This mophato is led by a princess from Kgosing.

Her name is Gorata Seboko. We also have some of our daughters-in-law amongst these graduates,' she said.The Kgosi explained that she could not be part of the class of 2013 due to medical reasons. She acknowledged the role played by Magosi, the community and elderly women in making the graduation a success.Present at the cultural event were royals from other villages such as the Chairperson of Ntlo Ya Dikgosi, Puso Gaborone, magosi from Molepolole, Manyana, Gabane, Thamaga and Goodhope. The area MP, Odirile Motlhale and government officials were also part of the celebrations.