Africa-Press – Botswana. Wayeyi in Botswana and Namibia have been applauded for their efforts in growing culture and strengthening people-to-people relations.
President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi appreciated the tribe during the Wayeyi Cultural Festival organised by the Kamanakao Association in Gumare on Saturday.
The cultural event attracted multitudes, most importantly the Wayeyi from Namibia.
President Masisi said the Wayeyi in both countries continued to infuse certain practices of their culture through cross-border cultural exchanges.
He said their relations were also important for public diplomacy, citing that when two countries were home to people who share cultural identities, it was easier to forge cordial relations at social, diplomatic and economic levels.
Dr Masisi also appreciated the Mbungu-Wa-Kathimana Society for hosting a similar cultural event attracting the Hambukushu from Namibia as well.
“This, indeed, is a testimony to the fact that we are culturally strong, and when we collaborate and work together to grow our cultures, they will transcend natural boundaries. Let us keep this up and grow it bigger,” he added.
He said cultural development was important for empowering communities economically, and also served as a nation-building strategy for prosperity and peaceful co-existence.
President Masisi said cross-cultural enrichment resulted in the appreciation of the other people’s culture and thus building mutual understanding and respect for one another.
He also appreciated the tribe for nurturing talent from a young age saying in other areas, participation in cultural festivals was confined to adults and even more so to the much older people.
As such, he said it was a commendable move as culture was being actively and enthusiastically passed on from generation to generation to ensure growth, continuity and preservation.
The Wayeyi used the occasion to celebrate their 7th anniversary as a recognised ethnic group and the status assumed by Kgosi Shikati Seidisa.
President Masisi said government had taken a move to achieve unity in diversity and equality of all through legislation.
Although the process was slow, he assured them that the details of the recognition would soon be worked out with the aim of inscribing socio-cultural equality in the statutes of the Constitution.
The recognition, he said would not just be on paper while the status quo continues and urged the tribe to expect fundamental changes that would accommodate a balance of different interests.
“We strive to achieve peaceful co-existence of all ethnic groups while each has a space for self-actualisation and self-determination. Government acknowledges your request to have Kgosi Shikati Seidisa installed, given office, and admitted to Ntlo ya Dikgosi. It will be befitting as it has been seven years since his recognition,” he said.
He also added, “I urge you to continue to be patient for the review of relevant legislation to ensure ethnic equality in our country.
The waiting may not be long, given the National Assembly’s consideration of a Bill that proposes a wide array of amendments to the Constitution, towards concluding the constitutional review process that I initiated at the end of 2021,” he added.
The event was held under the theme: Empowering the Nation through Cultural Development.
Kgosi Moitshepi Molelwa of Gumare said President Masisi demonstrated support towards culture development and growth.
Kgosi Molelwa also appreciated that some of their proposed changes to the Constitution were included in the draft that was currently under review.
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