03 Dec 2018

Emphasis has been put on the need to embrace culture because no society can flourish without culture. 

Giving a keynote address at the Punjab Culture show, in conjunction with the India High Commission, on November 30,  acting president Slumber Tsogwane said culture was a driver and enabler of inclusive growth and also a channel to forge new forms of global solidarity.

“No development can be sustainable without culture. Within our nation, it is important to eliminate lack of understanding of each other’s culture, since ignorance normally yields intolerance and a sense of rejection,” he said.

He further noted that since the human mind rejected the unknown and labeled it as negative, there was need to have these kind of events to open doors to discover one another, appreciate one’s language and culture as well as live together in harmony. 

“This calls for a shared value for diversity in moving our nation forward. Our diverse culture make us united as a nation with a common vision for economic prosperity and peace. Your work in cultural development is therefore, a building block for unity”, he said. 

The Acting President further noted that government acknowledged the fact that cultural diversity was good for education, social justice and cohesion. 

“It fosters tolerance for other cultures at an early stage,” he said, adding that it was government desire to ensure that every culture represented in Botswana contributed to democracy, education, social justice and cultural industries. 

Tsogwane encouraged the visiting troupe, whose Visas were processed in no time, to document their culture here in Botswana saying this would benefit future generations, researchers, as well as tourists. 

High Commissioner of India, Dr Rajesh Ranjan, told the audience that Punjab had one of the oldest and richest cultures of the world. 

Its diversity and uniqueness was evident in the Punjab poetry, philosophy, spirituality, education, artistry, music, cuisine, science, technology, military warfare, architecture, traditions, values and history. 

Punjab is widely acknowledged as the cradle of civilisation, it is a land of ethnic and religious diversity, having borne and shaped a number of religious movements that include Sikhism, Buddhism and Sufism. 

During the night cultural show, guests were treated to moving music which was characterised by active dance and high level drumming which made everyone to stay focused. It was a night to cherish for years to come. ENDS