The Ngwaketse capital, Kanye, is abuzz with preparations for the fourth edition of its annual Mmakgodumo Cultural Festival on October 29 under the theme, Tshwaraganyo morahe ka ngwao
Spokesperson of the Mmakgodumo Heritage and Cultural Festival Thapelo Searobi and chairperson Tsietsi Kebualemang revealed in an interview that the date of the event, traditionally held at the Mmakgodumo Dam, was originally scheduled for October 10 but had to be shifted due to the current BOT50 preparations.
“The idea of coming up with this festival is to showcase Ngwaketse culture such as dikgahela, mephato and general information on the tribe’s culture.
“The Mmakgodumo Dam is close to Bangweketse’s hearts as the tribe, led by Kosi Bathoen II, utilised it for irrigation projects. It is situated next to Bathoen Bird Sanctuary which is a tourist site of note with lots of bird species,”explained Kebualemang.
On the evening preceding the festival a dinner of cultural cuisine will be hosted by the organisers at Kanye Education Centre where elders and the learned of the Ngwaketse tribe will narrate the history of the tribe.
“We invite corporate executives to come and occupy corporate tables for P3 000 per table of 10. Couples will also part with P300 for a table. Individual tables go for P150.
“The day will be divided into two sessions. The first session will start with the arrival of the morahe, mephato, kgosi and the guest speaker who hopefully will be Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Tshekedi Khama. Then there will be speeches punctuated with entertainment,” Kebualemang said.
Artistes such as Ditiro Leero, Dipela tsa ga Kobokwe, Thabang and Banjo and segaba, setinkane, meropa players and others from other parts of Botswana will grace the occasion. We are going to have a whole night of entertainment,” said Searobi.
In the morning following the ‘vigil’ the merry-makers are going to be given another form of entertainment ÔÇô soccer, with the main game after some curtain raiser matches being one between Dikgosi and councillors.
Entry fee is P50 for adults, P30 for children, P20 for vehicles P20 and those who bring cooler boxes will pay P50 for them.
