Lobatse Beef Fest slated for June

Sharon Mathala | Tuesday March 22, 2016 14:30

 

The event will be hosted at its traditional place at the Lobatse Recreational Town Park.  This year, it will be a one-day event unlike last year when it came in three phases.

The organisers said they would align the festival with the country’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

“This year, the aim is to celebrate our scenic home of beef as a hub for economic activity, cultural exchange in line with economic diversification, domestic tourism and citizen-empowerment,” event organiser, Barolong Seboni said.

He said the event will kickstart with a cycling race on the first five-kilometre tarred road in Botswana.

There will also be a motorbike show prior to assembling at the park where there will be various corporate marquees.

The organisers said that the beef festival was primarily set up to celebrate beef as a staple diet of Botswana as well as a product that has contributed hugely to the economy of Botswana.

Previously people complained about shortage of beef at the event, and for this year the organisers have promised that there will be no dissatisfaction.

“The idea is to have attendees experience meat in its different presentations.  Instead of just the usual braai pack that you’re offered on entrance, people will also get to sample Seswaa, Serobe, Mokwetjepe, Mogodu and Tlhako on that day all free of charge as part of the package,” Seboni said.

“Last year’s event was the biggest we have had so far in terms of attendance and exhibitions.  One of the major challenges is to get cattle farmers on board. 

“Some feel it’s a huge investment because they have to travel long distances to exhibit.  As a result we won’t have the Masakeng cattle exhibition this year,” he said.

He added that there will be no jazz festival this year. 

He said for this year they have redirected their energy to the Saturday meat festival.  The organisers, however, could not reveal the line up of artists as yet.