Mapantsula to spread ‘Donty Ka Okapi’ message
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Friday March 3, 2023 12:37
The event is aimed at expressing the uniqueness of the Pantsula dance as well as diversification on how the art of pantsula dance could lift individuals economically.
The association's acting secretary-general and programmes/project head, Laki Kedumele also known as Kunene, explained that the public needs to see the beautiful pantsula style and pay for it. 'Mapantsula have been neglected and left out.
We need to be seen and deal with the iSpantsula stigmatisation within the community. As for parade, it is where we pull the crowd to our destination where we will deliver the message on our objectives; ‘No To GBV, No To Drug Abuse and No To Crime.’ We are now going in region three of our competition having started with the Gaborone region, the Central region and now the Southern Region,” he said.
Kunene added that their south affiliated branches (eight) and individuals male/female members (eight) will be battling for a position to pass to the next final stage to be held in Gaborone.
He stated that from the south region, they head to Kweneng (Molepolole), North (Francistown) thereafter they will be done with regional competitions. He further explained that winners of position one will be battling for a championship in Gaborone. He also said impressive prizes will be won by winners at regional and the final respectively.
Furthermore, Kunene said the event was targeting youth to elderly adding that about 70% youth and 30% elderly members. He pointed out that the youth was the ones they needed to move out of the social ills. He said they needed to engage, teach, guide and motivate them for a better future. “Our theme is, ‘Donty Ka Okapi’, as you know the Okapi knife is easier to access. The ill use of this as a weapon needs to be stopped as it influenced killings and injuries to our fellow brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers. Therefore we are against Okapi as Mapantsula. Many people associated with Bopantsula or Manyora are associated with crime.
Mapantsula are known to be terrorising communities but rather they are the ones protecting the community. We stand against the women, girls and the community abuse at large,” Kunene explained. He said those who engage in such crime hide behind their identity resulting in mapantsula being associated with crime. He further stated that it was important for communities to know that mapantsula were not thugs, but rather a registered association under the Registrar of Societies in 2018 with their offices located in White City.
Speaking of their challenges, he pointed out that money was their major problem adding that since they are a non-profit making organisation, they ended up digging their pockets and asking for funds from government.
He added that they built a two bedroomed house for a less privileged member in Mahalapye from members’ contributions. He said the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture has pumped P400,000 for the competition and parade to be a success. The money covers prizes won by competitors as well as preparations for the event. Kedumele also revealed they have invited dignitaries such as MP for Moshupa/Manyana Karabo Gare, ward councilor, police, Kgosi, district commissioner and assistant senior council secretary. Entrance fee is P20 to watch the competition that will resume immediately after the programme.