20 Jun 2019

The South African Embassy held a commemoration of the day of the African child at the Mochudi main kgotla on June 18, to empower the youth through culture.

Speaking during the commemoration, South African deputy commissioner, Bulelwa Kiva said Batswana played a pivotal role in the lives of their people during the apartheid era as they hosted some South Africans.

She said the late Kgosi Linchwe II, late former president Sir Ketumile Masire and some Batswana contributed much to the liberation of their country, hence the commemoration being held in Mochudi.

Kiva said it was important for the two countries to share the heritage day as their cultures were not that different, adding that they were grappling with youth unemployment.

Furthermore, the deputy commissioner said while some liberation fighters were still alive in both countries, the youth should take advantage and document their stories, hold culture days and create robotic stories to make income.

She said technology would reduce dependence on government by the youth as more entrepreneurs would rise due to culture preservation.

She further mentioned the owners of Ferguson Films and DJ Fresh as some Batswana, who were already in the entertainment industry in South Africa and should be used to help in improving the lives of Batswana.

Kiva said cultural activities such as June 16 celebrations should be held more often by the two countries to strengthen relations and also to create variety for the international market to empower the youth.

She urged Batswana youth to draw inspiration from their culture and use it at international level to create employment for themselves and their fellow youth.

Assistant Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Dikgang Makgalemele said the youth should use the theme; Empowering the youth through culture and heritage to their advantage by being creative.

He encouraged the youth to create documentaries on the stories told by the elders regarding the apartheid era and their reaction towards South Africans then.

Makgalemele further urged the youth office in Mochudi to work hand in hand with the youth regarding the documentaries, while the elders were still alive to tell their tales.

He mentioned that under President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s transformation agenda, they were committed to address the problem of youth unemployment by giving creative minds an opportunity to be creative and develop the country.

He said the youth’s contribution could be depicted by the use of technology in their work and also in transforming their lives and developing the country.

When welcoming the guests, Bakgatla deputy paramount chief, Kgosi Bana Sekai said he also played a role in the protection of South Africans during the apartheid era.

He said some Batswana were bought to stand with the boers, during that time, but he was glad that they won and the relations between Batswana and South Africans were intact.

Kgosi Sekai thanked the South African Embassy for choosing Mochudi and also for honouring Batswana for their contribution to the liberation of that country.

Young patriot from Northwest Province, Tshepiso Khumalo said what happened in Soweto, 43 years ago, shows the power of the youth in the development of a country.

He said history was an important aspect in an individual’s live as it teaches the future generation the stakes of life and how to grow from one glory to another.

He said hosting cultural activities, keeping cultural items in museums and documenting history were some forms of preserving culture and also a source of employment for the youth.

Khumalo urged government and the youth to provide support for traditional competitions.

When giving a vote of thanks, Mochudi West MP, Gilbert Mangole thanked the South African Embassy for hosting the event in Kgatleng as the Bakgatla still hold on to their culture.

He urged the youth to partake in all activities of the day and to also take advantage of the youth funds to make documentaries. ENDS