Mafitlhakgosi Cultural Group vows to preserve culture
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Wednesday September 14, 2016 15:33
However, local cultural group consisting of young and talented individuals, Mafitlhakgosi Cultural Group has decided to take-heed of this problem. According to the coordinator and founder of the group, Joseph Ikopeng said he intends to preserve culture.
In an interview with Showbiz recently, Ikopeng said after realising that Botswana culture was perishing, as a group that is involved in arts and culture they have found it fit to preserve it by teaching young people how to use traditional instruments such as setinkane, marimba, four strings guitar, segaba, drama, traditional dance, Ikalanga dance wosana and others.
“We want to teach our children, the youth and local artists our traditions through dance and song. We want them to learn how to use traditional instruments and their origins. We have realised that since the establishment of modern instruments and technologies, we are slowly losing our culture as Africans,” he said during a workshop that was aimed at teaching the youth and local artists how to use traditional instruments, drama and the importance of live performances at Tshwaragano Primary School in Old Naledi last weekend.
Ikopeleng said they realised that people more especially a number of local artists would just submit hard drives during their performance which did not give their music the excitement and flavour they deserve. He therefore emphasised that a lot of young artists did not know how to play instruments and thus limited their talents.
He added that it was important for artists to learn to use traditional instruments and not copy other cultures as Batswana already have a rich culture that could attract tourism to the country.
“We have organised this event for many local groups and BOMU artists so that they did not rely on cd’s. We have realised that our elders are leaving us. Look at icons like Setampore, Andre Seboni, Jonny Kobedi and others. They have died with their talents so what will happen to us if all of our talented old folks die and we are not left with anyone who has the talent?” he asked.
Ikopeleleng said he hoped that the project would continue and grow with time. He said they would find a school that will be focused on teaching the arts to children and the youth. He called on pioneers like Joseph Dikgomo, Mokgweetsi Kabomo, Kopano Mantswe, Edward Moroka and others to share their experience with the youth.
He further thanked the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture for having sponsored them with P52,000 that was used to pay the bands, tutors, food and to hire the instruments. He further urged the parents to let their children follow their dreams when they want to pursue the arts.
He however pointed out that it was also important for parents to advice their children to balance education and extra curricula activities.
Mafitlhakgosi is a group of 40 dancers and it attracts youth raging from the ages of seven to 32 years. Ikopeng, a former member of Mogwana Traditional Group, started the group and chose Old Naledi youth as they have ample talent and as a way of taking them off the streets and aimed at fighting alcohol and drug abuse through dance.