27 Feb 2019

Co-founder of Kgabo Sereto traditional troupe, Kgotso Masile says they are in urgent need of sponsorship to attend three international cultural exchange festivals.

  The festivals are slated for Holland, Poland and Tahiti in June, July and October respectively.

In an interview recently, Masile said the Thamaga-based group got invited after an impressive performance in France last year. He said they were appealing to corporate entities, private companies, non-government organisations and government to come on board to help with funds for air-tickets and meals among others.

He revealed that the group was formed in 2007 by the quartet of Dominic Seabelo, Thabiso Rankaba, Kgotso Masile and Baboloki Mogolole after realising that children they coached on traditional dance from primary schools in Thamaga and Moshupa Senior Secondary School ended up without any group to absorb them.

He said the group has 30 members aged between 25-30, noting that most of them were unemployed and relied on performances to earn a living. Masile said the group has excelled in President’s Day competitions, adding that between 2010-2014 they were in the top four at the national finals.

He said they were the champions of Tsutsube in 2015, while in 2011, the group represented Botswana in Ethiopia during a cultural exchange event.

Tsutsube is a dance which depicts the Basarwa’s hunting skills and spiritual healing. 

He said their trip to France last year was fruitful as they got other invites, adding that folklore revelers were fascinated by Tsutsube dance.

He also highlighted that during international events, they performed Tsutsube, Dikhwaere, Hosanna, Phatisi, Setapa and Selete dance as a way of showcasing Botswana culture and enticing tourists to Botswana.

Masile said an organisation managing the creative industry and folklore groups was vital, as the industry has the potential to employ many unemployed youths.

He said the groups, which are mostly societies, should convert to companies as it would be easier for them to source sponsorship and funds.

He said there were three professionally run traditional dance groups, being Matsosa Ngwao in Kasane, Ngwao Letswao of Gabane and Mafitlhakgosi, which all have hired their members and are making a living from their talent.

He urged Botswana to join the International Council of Organisations of Folklore Festivals, which is based in France, as it would avail Botswana traditional dance groups opportunities to participate in international festivals that payed well.

He said they faced challenges of having to replace attire with the money they could otherwise be using to pay members. 

Masile also said they did not have transport and a permanent place for rehearsals, revealing that they currently rehearsed at Ramaphate Primary School which required them to pay for transport as they were not able to secure a venue in Thamaga.

He encouraged youth with talent to never give up, but to rather follow their passion to sustain themselves.

He said not performing well academically did not mean one was a failure as they could use their talent to survive.

He said the creative industry was growing and that many groups performed internationally to gain exposure. ENDS