21 Oct 2018

Mabutswapele Cultural Troupe is hoisting the blue, black and white flag of Botswana high in the shores of Australia with traditional song and dance, courtesy of support by the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre.

The 18-member group is touring Australia for cultural exchange activities and has captured the Australian audience with their intriguing performances.

The group that originates from Old Naledi township jetted off to Australia and arrived on August 15 and they are expected back in Botswana on October 25.

In a telephone interview with BOPA, the host of the group in Brisbane City, Australia Robert Mukombozi said; “Mabutswapele is not just talented, it is remarkable,  lively and energetic.” As for the song and dance, he acclaimed that it was outstandingly choreographed as well as the attire.

He said the group brought to Australia and the world the best showcase of Africa through music, song and dance.

He noted that Mabutswapele were the highlight at the reception to celebrate at the Botswana 52nd independence anniversary that was hosted by the High Commissioner of Botswana to Australia Lapologang Caesar Lekoa.

He said the group also captured the attention of the Minister of Multicultural Affairs, Queensland government Stirling Hinchliffe.

“I am happy for the group to have joined us today and for such a fantastic performance tonight and I look forward to more of your visits to Australia and more of your performances across the state, ” Hinchliffe remarked.

Lekoa echoed Minister Hinchliffe’s remarks and emphasized that his office was thrilled to have hosted the group in Australia painting a true and authentic picture of a proud Botswana rich in culture, tourism, national identity, economy and democratic dispensation.

Furthermore, Mukombozi, who is also a community leader and entertainment entrepreneur based in Queensland, divulged that Mabutswapele had been a game changer in the way Africa had been showcased.

“They have assembled a medley showcase of music, song and dance with other cultural groups from countries such as Rwanda, China, Zimbabwe, Bolivia, Kenya, Ghana and Australian guitarists and bands. And in all these performances, Mabutswapele has lived up to the expectation of its audience and supporters, engaging, entertaining and above all, creating a one-of-a-kind display for everyone, ” Mukombozi highlighted.

The group participated in a series of festivals including the 2018 Technicolour Multicultural Festival, QUTAA Cultural Exchange, Africa Unplugged in Sandgate-Brisbane City and the 2018 Mosaic Festival formerly known as World Refugee Day.

Mukombozi said Mabutswapele was the crowd puller at the Mosaic Festival that was held on  October 8 and had an attendance of over 20 000.

“Concluding their four-stage ritualistic signature performance, the tsutsube in grand style to the roar of the stage, the drums, idiophones and leg rattles elated the audience. The performance was undoubtedly one of the best Mosaic festivals has showcased. Mabutswapele cultural group was remarkable and we look forward to hosting them again next year,” Mukombozi said.

Mabutswapele manager, Hendrick Gaselame Camie said Botswana was shaping up to be one of Australia’s premier destinations on the African continent for both business opportunities and tourism.

“We have had a very successful cultural exchange tour of Australia and we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to our host and to all Australians, regardless of cultural and religious background, who embraced and supported us throughout our stay, performances, shows and promotion of Botswana,” he said. ENDS