Cultural treat beckons at Madikwe Cultural Festival
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Sunday February 18, 2024 04:13
For the last two years, the Madikwe Cultural Festival has been a permanent fixture for the Botswana April calendar of events.
However, this year, it will take place on March 2, at Newville Gardens at Sikwane starting at 10am. Madikwe Cultural Festival is on its third installment and has grown in leaps in bounds with a significant increase in its offerings and patronage. The first edition had a sizeable attendance, whereas the attendance doubled in the second edition.
In 2024 the organisers are optimistic of a good turnout as well. Held at its traditional venue, the Newville Gardens in Sikwane, the Madikwe Cultural Festival is a great way for the residents of the ‘Dinokeng Villages’ and surroundings to celebrate culture and diversity. “This year in 2024 we decided to do Madikwe Cultural Festival in March as opposed to April due to the weather conditions. We want our patrons to enjoy the festival and not worry about rain,” explained Tshegofatso Powane, the founder and director at Madikwe Cultural Festival.
“Boasting an all-local and mostly traditional music line-up, the Madikwe Cultural Festival is a true embodiment and reflection that we can have an event of this magnitude with only Botswana-based creatives. The stage, lighting, sound, decor, food, photography and all the fundamental aspects of this festival are all sourced locally. We want to empower our local communities and we want the Madikwe Cultural Festival to contribute to the value chain,” Powane added. The organisers have already released their line-up that includes the crème of local performers such as Khoisan, Maghebula, Dr Vom, DJ Batsy, Matlotla, DJ Sean Lacoostaq, Sua Pan, Dikgogela, DJ Stu, DJ Slu, DJ Molex.
Radio personality, Boemo Dibeela-Nyadza will be the event’s MC. “On the other hand, some mouth-watering Tswana cuisine such as seswaa, kabu, bogobe ja lerotse, phaleche, morogo wa Setswana, nama ya podi, mokwetjepe, koko ya Setswana and bojalwa ja Setswana will be on offer. Traditional games such as mhele, morabaraba, diketo and koi will keep the patrons entertained as they enjoy the music and performances from the array of DJs and artists in the lineup,” she said. Furthermore, Powane said merchandise for the event is already on sale. She said the Madikwe Cultural Festival has partnered with Wipix Bed & Breakfast in Malolwane whereby ticket holders of Madikwe Cultural Festival get a 20% discount upon check-in. Powane said food will start flowing from as early as 10am, with starters such as phaphata and tea.
The popular bojalwa jwa Setswana is expected to arrive by a donkey cart from around 12noon. Tickets sell at P100 for kids and P200 for adults. They are currently on sale at Webtickets Kiosk at Riverwalk, Choppies, Spar, the 24hr clinic in Mmathubudukwane and at Newville Gardens in Sikwane.