The popular Bakwena ba Molepolole’s main traditional event returns to its original venue Ko Ntsweng after five years when it was moved to the Molepolole Sports Complex due to renovations.
This year, it will be held under the theme ‘Maropeng go a boelwa, go sa boelweng ke maleng', a Setswana proverb that means one should never be reluctant to reclaim a glorious past.
In an interview with Arts & Culture, Dithubaruba spokesperson, Tlamelo Letlole, said the theme is befitting because as morafe, they are making a return to a place of Bakwena's historical riches. He explained that the venue used to be Bakwena’s village back before moving to the present day Molepolole. “We moved to Molepolole around 1940. We are taking them back and down the memory lane. It would be a remembrance of our roots and we will do that through traditional attires, arts and music. We want to have leisurely time based on culture. We want to appreciate Sekwena cultures and those of the tribes that interact with Bakwena on their day to day lives,” he said.
Letlole added that they would also be showcasing different cultures of tribes such as Bakgalagadi from Motokwe, Basarwa in the north of Molepolole, Bahurutshe from Lentsweletau, Basiko in Kopong, Batlokwa in Mmantsie and Balete of Gabane as a way to show the unity among the diverse Bakwena people. He further explained that in Molepolole there were many wards like of Bokalaka, Bangwato, Bangwaketse, Baherero who stay at Dikgatlhong and others making the village a country within a country.
He added that this year they wanted their event to align with the Baherero culture and show how they relate to Bakwena. He added that they wanted to expose the Baherero culture to the rest of Batswana for it to be appreciated. “This will not be all. Bangwaketse will be showcasing their culture through setapa-sa-ngwaketse (dance) while Bakwena will display theirs. We will be having tribes that would be showcasing their dances like hosanna, sangoma, hoso and others. We also brought folklore poets from different tribes. We also have guitarists from different villages such as Letlhakeng and others. We aim to give Kweneng contemporary musicians the spotlight.
This is aligned with the government’s initiative A Re Changeng. We want our artists to change the way they do things and match international standards,” he said. He explained that there are some Bakwena from South Africa, Zambia and other African countries.
He added that different Bakwena tribes from different places in Southern Africa will be coming with their delegations alongside their performing groups to showcase the Sekwena culture. He also said they have also received invitations from Bakwena ba Mogale and Moletsi in SA to attend their cultural shows this year. He explained that they have partnered with ABSA bank for this year's edition and renamed it ABSA Dithubaruba. Tickets for the festival are sold at various Spar Superstores and selected Choppies stores. They sell P50 for children and P150 per adult.
