19 Aug 2018

Molepolole is set to be a destination for many on September 1 as the day marks another edition of the annual Dithubaruba Cultural Festival pencilled for Molepolole Sports Complex.

The event which dates back to 2007 has grown into a brand since its inception which was primarily to promote Kgosi Sechelle I Museum.

The cultural festival derives its name from the Dithubaruba site in Dithejwane Hills, historically known as a capital of Bakwena from 1853 to 1863 before they moved to the current Molepolole.

The large and well-preserved stone walls of the hill-top settlement represent one of the finest and most accessible archaeological sites in the country.

Publicity coordinator, Tlamelo Letlole said preparations were on track and meeting were held at the beginning of the month to update the public about the event and the Ntsweng project.

"We also held a fun walk from Ikago Rehabilitation School to Dithejwane Hills are the places form part of the Bakwena history. It is where people learnt about the fortified stonewall and also include Sediba sa Kompone, Kgosidintsi’s grave and German Hermannsburg’s Mission,” he said.

Letlole said a Dithubaruba symposium titled: Sago la Moeng has been scheduled for August 23^rd at the University of Botswana, where one of the speakers Boometswe Mokgothu would share with the public the Bakwena oral history.

He further said the event was meant to boost the economy in the Kweneng District from big to small businesses such as hospitality, petrol stations, adding that they have provided stalls for those who would be selling food and crafts.

“The aim of the event is also to interact with other Bakwena groups from different areas, sharing Sekwena culture and its dynamics and as well trying to restore its old versions.  This will bring an understanding of Bakwena culture towards other local tribes as well,” he said.

For his part,  Kgosi Sechele I Museum curator and also the event coordinator, Power Kawina said the event was initially staged at the museum, with the idea to promote it.He said given the growth of the event, it was then changed to the Dithubaruba area at Dithejwane Hills but due to inaccessibility and other factors, they found Ntsweng Heritage Site a better place to host the event.

Kawina said the site had been the home of the festival since 2011 adding that they have been since receiving a positive response towards the event.

He, however, noted that instead of cancelling the event due to the ongoing developments at Ntsweng, Molepolole Sport Complex was chosen as an alternative host for this year’s event,  and probably next year until the completion on the Ntsweng Project.

 “Though we admit that the sport complex does not have that cultural feel, we have looked for a venue within the stadium that could suit the activities that are scheduled and finally chose the softball arena,” noted Kawina.

Dignitaries’ expected include Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso from the Kingdom of Lesotho, as well as other Bakwena from Southern Africa being Limpopo, Rustenburg, Phalane, Namibia as well as Bakwena from Phokeng, senior government officials and diplomats. Activities of the day are borankana, traditional dance, poetry and contemporary music among others.

Some of the commonly known groups and artists expected to perform at the event are Doctor Vom, Ditiro Leero, Gong Master, Dipela tsa ga Kobokwe, Ditshukudu and Bana ba Kwena.

The event is made possible by the Ministry of Youth Empowerment Sport and Culture Development, Kgosi Sechelle I Museum, Mmegi as the print media partner and Duma FM as the broadcasting partner. ENDS