National Culture Day in Manyana
Sharon Mathala | Thursday May 19, 2016 10:46
The event would be hosted under the theme ‘A united and proud nation through cultural activity’. The cultural festivities are expected to thrill attendees with a wide variety of traditional cuisine, song, dance, games and fashion among others.
Situated just 50 kilometres away from Gaborone, the village of Manyana would host visitors from as far as Namibia, Lesotho, and South Africa. Last year, the event was hosted in Tonota with hundreds turning up to bask in the different Botswana cultural revivals. The event is said to promote the diverse Botswana cultures and is a way to embrace the different cultural elements of the country. The initiative started after government realised that cultural norms were being eroded by the western culture and seeing the need to host such events to remind and embrace the different Botswana cultures.
The cultural revival would unofficially start celebrations on Friday night with what the organisers said would be a culture night.
One of the event organisers, Nakiso Kubanji said on Saturday there would be a lot of activities, but Bahurutshe would be at the forefront of the event. She said the formal proceedings are expected to be complete by mid-morning then it would be time for song and dance. “The main aim of the event is to promote cultural unity. As much as it is to enjoy the dances and the traditional Setswana food, it is also to appreciate the different cultures we have in Botswana,” she said.
The main speakers on the day would be the youth minister, Thapelo Olopeng and Vice President, Mokgweetsi Masisi is also on the programme. Other dignitaries on the day would also include Kgosi Kwena Mangope from Lehurutshe in South Africa.
Kanye Polka group, Honey Polka group, Topito as well as Gong Master would be the toast of the day.