The 2015 Son of the Soil cultural show themed, “Kwa Re Go Yang – Bana ba Kgaupe ba Laelana go Sale Gale” held over the weekend has shown that culture still remains one of the pillars of national development.
The event which lasted for the whole of this past weekend started off with a workshop on Friday which was shortly followed by ‘Matswaisong’ traditional chillas on the same evening at the CBD. The chillas entailed a classical Setswana set up where a family and family friends gather around the fire place during the evening to let old folk tell stories, proverbs and axioms to the younger generation.
The organisers said the chillas was meant to pass knowledge to the younger generation who have not had the opportunity to experience the Setswana chillas.
The main event which was held at Boetelo Resort on the skirts of Notwane River was graced by dignitaries such as the former Vice President Dr. Ponatshego Kedikilwe, Botswana’s export to the United Nations Sheila Tlou as well as the ombudsman Festinah Bakwena.
Apart from the dance and games, one memorable thing people will always remember is the food and drinks which were all strictly traditional. The breakfast menu entailed amongst other things menoto, magwinya and diphaphatha. For lunch, dignitaries and attendants were then served with a traditional dish which entailed bogobe ja lerotse, setampa, phane, seswaa and koko ya Setswana.
Although the popular cloth amongst the attendants and dignitaries is usually the Leteisi also known as #German print, this year the attendants also ‘rocked’ on various #African prints which included those from Lesotho, Swaziland and Sepedi. Individuals and families looked elegant as they mingled freely on the stretch of the quiet Notwane river banks.
The cultural festival was wrapped on Sunday with a Jazz show whose line up included leading local acts such as Maxy, Kearoma Rantao, Nono and Puna.
