The event will take place from September 29 to October 1. Addressing the media on Tuesday, the event coordinator, Emang Mutapati said the event would be a big party where revellers would experience and explore Botswana cultures and dance.
She explained that they chose Maun because it was a melting pot of people of different cultures and tribes like Basarwa, Mbukushu, Herero and others who have diverse attires and languages. She added that they chose Maun because it was the gateway to the Okavango Delta. However, she pointed out that they would invite other people from different cultures to showcase at the event.
She added that they would also invite sub cultures like Rock and Roll, pantsula and bikers to partake at the event. She said the event would promote both domestic and international tourism while at the same time boosting the Ngamiland economy, which is a good thing for the country as the tourism sector contributes a lot to the local GDP.
“The local tourism industry was one of the hardest hit by COVID-19 but it went to almost zero. The event is meant to resuscitate the economy. Maun is a place of fun, enjoyment and excitement. The carnival will help people interact with other people from different cultures. Even though Maun is famed as a tourism destination, the residents do not benefit from tourists from outside.
Typical tourists would come and experience our fauna and spend one or two nights then go to the delta where they spend four nights. All the bookings are done online through agents in South Africa,” she said.
She further explained that they aim to expose the Botswana market to ordinary Batswana and people from neighbouring countries such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia. She added that the event was going to create employment for more than 200 creatives and a large number of people would benefit from it. At the event, there will be traditional cuisines; traditional games, dance and song and people would be allowed to wear their traditional attires. On September 29, there will be a street parade in the mall, poetry and comedy while on September 30 there would be a family fun day where there will be all day fun activities for the whole family.
Then on October 1, there will be a breakfast boat cruise at Thamalakane River. For his part, Gilbert (PP) Seagile explained that the event started off as an idea to keep people in the country and tour it instead of travelling abroad for vacations. He said they did an intensive research and ended up deciding to host the Maun Carnival.
He added that they will also have a music festival on Septemebr 30. The music festival will be headlined by South African group, Mafikizolo. From the local shores, the organisers have included the likes of Stika Sola, DJ Big Pun, Berry Heart and Lizibo. Tickets for the show are sold at P200 for two early bird, P150 standard and P200 at the gate.
They are sold at all Super Spar outlets. Comedy and poetry night tickets are sold at P500 and are inclusive of free festival ticket. There is also a P2,500 ticket free transportation to the venues and accommodation, free tickets for all events including the boat cruise and a branded t-shirt.
