Mafifatshwana festival returns
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Sunday August 13, 2023 06:00
The event dubbed, Mafifatshwana Cultural Festival was last held in 2018 before COVID-19 struck, disrupting several activities across the world.
It returns this year with a line-up of celebrated contemporary traditional groups expected to entertain the audience after a day filled with cultural exchanges and showcases. Speaking to Arts and Culture yesterday, Kgosi Ramonnye Matlapeng, who is also the chairperson of the organising committee, said besides Batlokwa, they also expect the attendance of other dignitaries including the Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare who will be the guest of honour.
Other important dignitaries expected to grace the event are Kgosi Mosadi Seboko of Bamalete, Kgosi Lotlaamoreng of Barolong as well as Kgosi Bana Sekai of Bakgatla, among others. Matlapeng said the event will kick-start off with the arrival of morafe before the dignitaries which will then pave the way for different activities that will showcase Batlokwa heritage.
The activities will include different Setswana food. The tribe will also roll back the times with games such as diketo and koi. The day will not be complete without Batlokwa tribe showcasing their dance style called Kgaselese. “We have also realised that a lot of young people are attracted by contemporary music so we have invited several artists to entertain the audience,” Matlapeng said.
Among the artists on the line-up are MmaAusi of Dibseiane fame, Culture Spears, Mafitlhalgosi, Serurubele and Dr Vom. Tickets sell for P100, which includes a package, P70 for adults and P30 for kids.