Barclays Bank of Botswana recently handed over a P338, 000 contribution to the Kuru Development Trust to facilitate bringing the Kuru Dance Festival 2018 to life. As part of their Shared Growth Strategy, the back reiterated their commitment to supporting the celebration and preservation of Botswana’s heritage including arts and culture. As such the bank is once again a sponsor of this year’s 20th anniversary of the Kuru Dance Festival.
The 2018 Kuru Dance Festival is scheduled for August 24, 25. The main event, a formal program and dance performances, will take place on the 25 August 2018, at Dqae Qare Lodge in D’Kar, approximately 20km from Ghanzi. The festival seeks to commemorate the full moon, which is significant in the culture of the San resident in this area. The San believe that during this period, they are able to heal the sick through the power they receive from song and dance. It is a cultural phenomenon that remains sacred, and one that Barclays Bank of Botswana and other partners’ festival firmly believe needs to be commemorated and protected.
The festival encourages cultural interchange between performers and people from diverse ethnic groups and countries. Attendees at this year’s Kuru Dance Festival can look forward to 12 San traditional dance groups, 5 non-San dance groups and 3 international guest groups to perform. The event will also include exhibition stalls for food and cultural products, including Veld fruits, craft work and more.
“It continues to be a great pleasure to partner with Kuru Development Trust for this important cultural event. Every year we bear witness to the Kuru Dance Festival story coming to life from a group of inspiring individuals that work together to promote and uplift their communities through arts and culture. Our reinvestment in the Kuru Dance Festival contributes in many ways to our socio developement. As the event continues to grow each year it attracts visitors, new residents and business opportunities from across the African continent and the world over,” said Reinette van der Merwe, Managing Director of Barclays Bank of Botswana at a press briefing to launch this year’s sponsorship.
This year, the Kuru Dance Festival celebrates 20 years having grown bigger and strong with every passing year.
“Our sponsorship of the Festival aligns perfectly with our strategic ambition to foster growth in the communities we operate in. We support the conservation and revival of culture, as it encourages community trade and ultimately drives development. We look forward to engaging our stakeholders in the beautiful and historic Ghanzi district during the coming festival,” Reinette said.
