Addressing the media in Gaborone recently, one of the event organisers, Emmanuel Boefelo, said the activity mainly focused on cultural exchange and marketing local culture internationally. He explained that culture has been given a backseat, hence contributing to the fact that the youth do not know their culture. He added that in recognising the pivotal role of culture in shaping human identity, Logaga Lwa Ditiragalo aims to serve as a bridge across the cultural landscape. He also said in an era of increasing global connectivity, the programme's ethos was rooted in the belief that exposing individuals to different ethnic cultures could cultivate better understanding, nurture respect and ignite a genuine appreciation of diversity. He further pointed out that the objective extends to encouraging exploration, fostering seamless interaction and instilling an awareness of the profound importance of cultural exchange.
"Beyond its entertainment value, Logaga Lwa Ditiragalo promises substantial benefits for Botswana across multiple dimensions. The programme's capacity to preserve the nation's unique heritage, traditions and customs contributes significantly to the nation's sense of identity and pride. The anticipated influx of tourists, driven by the programme's portrayal of the country's cultural richness, stands poised to invigorate the tourism sector, creating employment opportunities and bolstering the nation's economic landscape. Additionally, Logaga Lwa Ditiragalo is envisioned as a catalyst for social cohesion, fostering unity among people from diverse backgrounds and promoting a deeper understanding of cultural diversity," he pointed out. Furthermore, Boefelo explained that their ambitious cultural exchange initiative will be unfolding as a captivating TV series, meticulously designed to illuminate the uniqueness of different cultures within Botswana.
He added that the programme's reach will extend to diverse audiences interested in delving into the intricacies of ethnic cultures. He said they will be selecting 36 participants who will be divided into two groups that will be showcasing their knowledge and skills on different local cultures depending on villages they will be contesting at. He added that since they did not want to leave anyone behind, they will select four people living with disabilities some of whom will be divided among the two groups. This means all contestants will be 40 and 20 per team. The competition will be running for 40 days. The show is expected to start in October on a date that will be announced later as the coordinating team said they want contestants to engage in the country's general elections first.
For her part, one of the organisers, Nico Segona revealed that aspiring contestants should send Logaga to 17272 starting from March 1, 2024. She said the SMS competition is open to all the networks saying each SMS would cost P2. She encouraged the public to SMS as many times as possible so that they could increase their chances to qualify to partake in the show. People aging between 18 to 55 qualify to participate in Logaga Lwa Ditiragalo Cultural TV show. "During the show, a group that gets the most votes will walk away with P1 million and the person that impressed the audience will win him or herself P100, 000. This programme will also give participants exposure. I therefore encourage people to send as many SMSes as they can. Participants who have not won will not go home empty handed," she said.
