Africa-Press – Botswana. Cultural revival intersects very strongly with President Dr Masisi’s mindset change strategy.
This was said by Kgosi Kgari Sechele III of Bakwena at the Dithubaruba cultural festival on Saturday.
The festival is an annual cultural event that promotes social cohesion among Bakwena and other ethnic groups in Kweneng.
It also provides cultural education that reflects the ethnic diversity of Bakwena.
Kgosi Kgari said there was no greater manifestation of mindset change than retracing one’s steps to a glorious past.
“It is important to realise that mindset change means more than just retracing steps, it also means reorienting oneself towards a meritocratic culture that will bring desired results,” said Kgosi Kgari.
He urged Bakwena to individually and collectively adopt a positive mindset change in order to ensure that Ntsweng returned to its glory days.
Kgosi Kgari said a total of P60 million had been invested in the construction of the new Kgosi Sechele I Museum.
He said expectation was that the facilities that the museum was endowed with should bring economic benefits to Molepolole.
Government, he said, was doing what best it could to create employment and said those who could should reorient mindset towards self-employment.
“I urge our artistes and entrepreneurs to make full use of economic opportunities that the new museum will create when its operations kick into full stride.
Performing arts could enrich Molepolole cultural life and generate income,” he said.
Kgosi Kgari added that via stewardship of the museum and support of local community cultural tourism products should be developed to enable Ntsweng to reclaim its fair share of the windfall.
He said besides being a money spinner, cultural tourism was also an important tool for cultural diplomacy.
Chairperson of the Kgosi Sechele I Museum, Kgosi Basiamang Garebakwena thanked all stakeholders who made the event a success.
He applauded title sponsors ABSA Life Botswana for its good gesture of supporting the event for the next three years and even beyond.
Kgosi Garebakwena said proceeds from the event would partly be used for the establishment of a botanical garden at Ntsweng site.
ABSA Life Botswana availed P250 000 of the P750 000, which covered most of the festival’s costs.
Deputy kgosi of Bakgatla, Kgosi Bana Sekai delivered a surprise present of a horse to Kgosi Kgari, courtesy of the Otsile Molefe foundation.
Celebrated under the theme; Maropeng go a Boelwa, the festival drew a bumper crowd to the state of the art amphitheater.
Various traditional troupes gave sterling performances with the likes of Solly Sebotso, Sebongile Kgaila and Batladira Radipitse providing entertainment with guitars.
Solidarity messages from other Bakwena tribes from the Southern African region were read as part of the intercultural exchange.
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