For its first installment, the event that was free entrance for everyone, attracted a number of people from the village, nearby villages and some from towns such as Gaborone and Jwaneng. For an event that is said to have been planned for a few months, the outcome was very commendable.
It also attracted a number of donors and companies that bought stalls to exhibit their products and services.
The event kick-started with a showcase of Setswana patlo (where families meet and ask for a bride) where the groom's family goes to the bride's family on his behalf to ask for their daughter's hand in marriage. The event was graced by President, Mokgweetsi Masisi and the First Lady, Neo Masisi.
The lelwapana was placed not far from the kgotla where men normally gather to discuss pressing issues affecting the community including its development.
After the Setswana patlo showcase, the event shifted to the main venue, a stone throw away.
The President and his delegation were welcomed by a performance from Tsumani Choir that sang a song praising their kgosi for bringing the event to their village. They said different tribes in Botswana had their own cultural events such as Dithubaruba, for Bakwena ba Molepolole, Mmakhodumo for Bangwaketse in Kanye and Dikgafela for Balete Ba Gabane.
They said they were grateful to finally have their own cultural event.
They also praised President Masisi for his support and being a good leader. Meanwhile, giving his welcome remarks, Kgosi Kgabosetso Mosielele who is also the Trust's chairperson, said they decided that it was high time they had their own cultural event like other villages that have events such as fish festivals and other cultural festivals.
He said initially, they wanted to host a Fishing Festival but ended up deciding to expand it into a cultural event dubbed Hika La Ngwanaya. Kgosi Mosielele said they visited different villages with different cultures to benchmark. He added that since the President always dreamt of hosting such an event at the venue, they decided to seek help from him and consulted headmen of wards near the dam. They helped them register the venue at the Land Board and fence the place. He stated that they have always been consulting the villagers about the project. He also said Ipelego Trust was legally registered as advised by Masisi. He said the aim is to see to it that the event grows, which will help teach the youth about culture and how to preserve it. Kgosi added that they intend to make the event even much bigger next year and beyond.
He further called on more investors to come on board. For his part, Hika La Ngwanyana legend, Bobby Tlhabiwe, gave an account about the venue. He said the dam was built around 1968_78. He added that when they started building the dam, it was not easy as the area had an owner who many said he meant a snake in traditional myth.
He further said the damn could not be pointed with a finger but an elbow saying there was a statue (lehika) that is now covered with water. He said Lehika lwa Ngwanyana was never dry as it always produced clean palatable water that girls used to fetch for household usage. He added that during his young age, children used to play games by the sand not far from the lehika. He said one day when the children were resting while others played and enjoyed themselves, some girls came crying saying they had just seen a snake.
They ran away but one girl, 'Mmaopapi' could not run as the snake used its magical powers to capture her. He further stated that it took her under the lehika. The village leaders later consulted a priest who told them that the snake was still with the girl. Their first and second attempt to recover her body was fruitless as the priest said the snake was still with her but on the third day he said the priest finally managed to come out of the water with the young girl who had passed on and had changed colour to white. He said it was said the snake had sucked her blood.
However, he said it seemed like the snake had always chosen girls who it sacrificed. He added that the snake was still there saying it lived in the same dam and he has heard testaments by people nearby that the snake still lived there. For his part, the Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, (MYSC), Tumiso Rakgare applauded the organisers for hosting an event of such magnitude. He promised that his ministry would continue supporting local artists and event coordinators especially that promote culture and aim to promote tourism. He urged the community to ensure that the event grows in leaps and bounds.
