Tourism ministry injects P6m into Xere Cultural Festival

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Wednesday August 7, 2024 09:26

Speaking at the event's media launch in Gaborone today, Modukanele said they realised that the P2 million they supported the event with last year was not enough to host an event of this magnitude. He said the event organisers, Xere Trust Fund, have no money and permanent building structures. He explained that although they want the trust to build permanent structures, part of the money would be used to pay different service providers. He said the ministry wants the trust to build permanent structures to sustain itself and independently host the event in future.

'The money will be used to pay for the performers, lighting and hyper generators since the village venue has no electricity or water, those who will be taking care of the environment and many more facilitators. Since we have increased activities this year that meant the budget was also bound to increase. We want young people from Xere and nearby villages to benefit from these funds by providing services to the event,' Modukanele said.

The much-anticipated Xere Cultural Festival is returning for the second edition between August 23 and 24 and is supported by MEWT, Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO), Boteti District Council and other stakeholders. Attendees will have two-day activities such as cultural exhibitions, sundowner, cultural village experience showcasing the Sesarwa Culture, animal tracking and an exclusive game drive at the CKGR.