20 Dec 2021

Revelers braved the wet weather to attend a tourism event dubbed Tla O Robe Sogo Retreat in Kanye over the weekend.

The three-day extravaganza kick-started on Friday afternoon, with a Tour-Kanye Parade, which started from BG through Mongala Mall up to Mahube Mall, past Montshiwa Grounds, down Motlhabanelo road via Spojane on to Mmakgodumo Dam, where the rest of the events were to be held.

The organisers had to think on their feet on Saturday as the rain continued unabated and they ended up modifying the programme by cancelling some of the activities.

In an interview, Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO), Public Relations Officer, Samuel Lephalo said he was pleased with interest, but was disappointed with the low turn-out, which he however, attributed to the weather.

Though acknowledging challenges brought about by the rain, Lephalo urged the organisers to learn from such experiences, to plan better in future.

He underscored BTO’s commitment to ensuring that the event became a tourism attraction of note, saying their intention was to diversify tourism offerings away from the  wildlife.

He said they were considering other products to ensure that Kanye also became a tourism destination.

He said as BTO was mandated to market and promote tourism in Botswana, the aim was to assist community projects, such as Tla o Robe Sogo to succeed.

Lephalo noted that this was the first instalment of their relationship with Tla O Robe Sogo, adding that they believed the event would grow just as those that they supported in the past, such as the renowned Mmakgodumo Cultural Festival.

He commended the organisers for having put on a sterling show despite the challenges.

For his part, Tla O Robe Sogo Retreat Club Chairperson, Gofaone Kebualemang said he was pleased that they were able to hold a successful show, albeit under such challenging conditions.

“It is always a challenge to plan an outdoor event because you are subjected to whirls of mother nature,” he said.

He indicated that cancelling was the last resort, as it was costly, adding that they would ensure that they were better prepared in future to avoid disappointment and he promised a bigger and better show next year.

Revelers were spoilt for choice in traditional music by Ntirelang Berma, Mmaratwa, Dipilara tsa Ngwao, Kgarebe ya Setso, Setso Sa Bomme and other traditional choirs. ENDS