The event was hosted by Bathoen II Trust. Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world, Botswana was not spared as it negatively affected the creative industry including the famous Mmakgodumo Cultural Festival. However, this year, the Bathoen II Trust committee decided to revive the event and made it bigger and much better. As such, the event was filled with different activities that showcased the Sengwaketse culture. Even though at first there were a few people, in the afternoon after lunch time a number of people flocked to the event and by night time the venue was filled to capacity.
The event had attracted a number of people of different ages both from Kanye and the nearby villages. The setting and sound system were top notch. In the morning, the old women all in blue German prints and blue head scarfs and megagolwane representing different dikgotla (wards) brought the harvest to Kgosi Malope II as per their custom where after harvesting, villagers would give their harvest to the kgosi so that he blesses it. After that, they could go and eat their harvest with their families. It was important for kgosi to bless the harvest and some of the food was stored in silos for future usage. The food became handy during droughts as dikgosi used it to feed the communities. The event where the harvest and traditional beer was given to Kgosi during the harvest is called Dikgafela. Before bringing the food, there is a man that screams to alert the royal house that Dikgafela were on their way and then go on to praise the king and the ancestors for a good harvest. In most cases, like the one at Mmakgodumo, the harvest is taken to the kgotla where the kgosi and his tribesmen taste the traditional beer, harvest and then he bless and allows the community to enjoy the hard work (harvest). After that beautiful showcase, there was also an episode of Setswana folklore poetry by talented local poets, Edwin Moroka known as Serurubele and Emmanuel Boefelo famed as Mmasekgethu.
The duo gave the audience a glimpse of what usually happens at their poetry event dubbed Ntwa ya Puo. After that brilliant performance, different dignitaries who took part in the event gave heartfelt speeches commending the Trust for its good gesture of reviving the Sengwaketse culture through that cultural festival. They said the event preserved the Sengwaketse culture and passed it on to the next coming generations. They also applauded it for organising the event free of charge saying that would attract the community to partake in the event even when they start charging entrance fee. As part of the cultural exchange, the trust invited Basotho since their queen hails from Lesotho. The Sesotho choir made of men and women wearing Sesotho traditional attires did not want to be left behind. They too took pride in showcasing their beautiful dance moves where some women danced kneeling down while shaking their shoulders. Later on the men also showcased their dance moves. In one of their songs, they praised their in-law, Kgosi Malopel II. They also asked the DJ to play some Sesotho traditional songs that seemed to be known by some of the revellers who then joined them in dance.
The cultural event could not be complete without the local traditional dance and song night performances where local artists like Kuka la Setso, Maswailathota, Ntirelang Berman, Mmaratwa, Ditiro Leero and others delivered beautiful performances. All the Ga-Maila and other artists that were performing at the event kept the audience dancing till dawn.
