Kuru festivities return

Sharon Mathala | Wednesday August 5, 2015 16:26

The traditional festival will once again be hosted at its homeground at the Dqre San Lodge, from August 28 to 29.

The two-day festival is expected to attract multitudes from all over southern Africa.  To make the annual event an experience worth remembering, Barclays has sponsored the event to the valued of P369,000.

Speaking at the official launch of the Kuru dance celebration Barclays Bank of Botswana MD, Reinette van der Merwe said supporters of the festival should look forward to a colourful event illustrating how diverse Botswana culture is.

“The festival brings an educational, interesting and innovative way of celebrating culture. We are privileged as a bank to be playing a significant role in enriching and contributing to the sustainability of the arts and cultural landscape of Botswana,” said Van der Merwe, who added that Barclays is proud to be assisting the trust to organise a world-class dance festival.

The patron of the Kuru Dance Festival, Ponatshego Kedikilwe, said: “The translation of the word Kuru, which most of you may not be aware of means ‘to do’.   In this way a group of people decided to group themselves to revive culture and to make sure that our culture, through dance does not die with time.”

“Such initiatives are also critical in that it is a way of educating the younger generation of the origins of our culture and the importance to preserve our heritage,” Kedikilwe explained.

The festival will see 15 groups from all parts of Botswana displaying their talents. One group from Namibia will also perform at the event, the organisers revealed. Tickets will be sold at Maitisong at P50 for children and P100 for adults.

The dance festival is the brainchild of the Kuru Development Trust, which was founded in 1986 by a missionary, the late Braam le Roux, Gaobolelwe Mgakayaja, Arone Johannes as well as one James Morris.