02 Oct 2018

Speakers at the Domboshaba cultural festival have called on the Domboshaba Cultural Trust (DCT) to engage communities for the festival to thrive. 

The festival was held on September 29 at the Domboshaba cultural site between Vukwi and Kalakamati  and revellers were taken on tour of the Domboshaba ruins where they  were given the history of Bakalanga. The festival aimed at  promoting Ikalanga culture and norms which according to DCT  vice chairperson, Chigedze Chinyepi, were declining because some had abandoned their culture, language and norms. 

In his remarks, Kgosi Jenamiso Tshupoeng of Kalakamati stated that for this event to grow, stakeholders should form partnerships. He stated that the festival could prosper if there were consultations with village leaders and youth who could bring in their creative minds. Kgosi Tshupoeng told the DCT to work hard and start planning the event as early as January every year because it was common knowledge that Domboshaba festival comes every independence holidays.

Therefore, he said people should not neglect the cultural site for the whole year and only remember it when the festival approached.

He indicated that wild animals were vandalizing the area which called for the community to clean it and preserve it. Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development coordinator in Masunga, Phinias Kgare, advised organisers to package their product in such a way that it would attract investment from beyond the borders. He further encouraged them to incorporate all communities within the North East District for them to have a sense of belonging.

This, he said, did not mean that bringing other villages would take away the festival from DCT or the communities surrounding the cultural monument. He urged the communities in the district to avoid temptation to form many cultural trusts because this would inhibit their growth as there would be competition for audience  and limited government financial support.  Kgare said it was important to engage private sector in events that promote Botswana because it was through private companies like travel and tours that could include the festival in their packages.

The coordinator urged  the DCT to dialogue with the Ntimbale Community Conservation Trust to explore opportunities of developing one big district tourism activity which would encompass culture and sport. Attendees also appreciated the cultural practices around the ruins which included trade between Bakalanga and other tribes. Entertainment was galore;  Bantolo cultural group performed their Kalanga/ contemporary fusion music while Tjilenje Tje Ngwao performed hosanna and hoso to the exhilaration of the crowd.

Jazz maestro Ndingo Johwa also dished his live performance and had revellers asking for more. BOPA