Last month, President Lieutenant-General Seretse Khama Ian Khama announced that the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture is working towards replacing President Day celebrations with Heritage Day. The day seeks to promote the performing arts and culture in the country. The president went on to issue a directive to all government ministries to purchase artworks from local artists and craftspeople, a move that has been welcome with glee in the arts world. He also asked for the empowerment of traditional dancers. At the moment, Batswana are looking forward to the revamped celebrations to be held next month.
Last weekend, there were at least two major cultural events in the country. In Gaborone, lovers of the Setswana culture gathered at Botswanacraft where they celebrated the annual letlhafula (harvest) last Saturday. According to Mmegi's correspondent Lekopanye Mooketsi, the festivities started in the morning and by lunchtime, the venue was so packed one could hardly find an empty seat. Mooketsi added that before the actual day of the event, all the tickets were sold out and people were not allowed to pay at the gate.
