MotswAfrika Arts fest calls for support
Staff Writer | Sunday February 19, 2023 06:00
One of the event organisers, Hosiah Motlhalawapitse said the event has the capacity to become a vehicle for economic diversification in the area and a regular calendar feature.
The event, which will return for its second installment on April 29 in Mahalapye, had a rather slow start on its first edition in 2022. 'In the absence of trade fairs in the village, businesses based in Mahalapye and those with branches in the village like banks, supermarkets, telecommunications, and government departments can use the event as a marketing platform to reach out to their customers,' Motlhalawapitse said.
MotswAfrika is an initiative meant to help revive culture, promote peace and unity among Batswana. Motlhalawapitse said the festival also provides an opportunity to showcase Botswana‘s diverse cultural heritage.
He said with support, the event has the potential to become one of the leading cultural events in the country. Among some of the things that patrons are treated to include traditional music, dance, food, drama, fashion show, storytelling, as well as getting the opportunity to view some of the local artifacts and artworks on display from local crafters and visual artists.
'This event, which will take place at MotswAfrika Leisure Gardens in Mahalapye, will promote local arts and crafts, display traditional groups/performers from mainly the Central region and across Botswana. The event will further market and educate the public and outside visitors on local visual arts. MotswAfrika will help develop Mahalapye by showcasing the very best of indigenous and general Setswana culture with cultures found in Mahalapye: Xhosa, Baherero, Basarwa, Barotsi, Bangwato and others,' he added.
Motlhalawapitse said there will be various traditional food, market stalls, children's activities, and games. 'We will feature Setswana games like koi, dibeke, mmele, tshetshe, diketo, Batho safe, Kgaisano ya go seta, Chama/diale.' This year's edition is held under the theme 'Ngwao, Boipelo Ja Rona', which means 'Our Culture, Our Pride'.