12 Jul 2022

Selebi Phikwe traditional dance groups made their presence felt in the National Arts Festival in the Traditional Song and Dance category competition held at the University of Botswana indoor sports arena on Saturday, despite not bagging the first position.

Diwetse competing in the Tsutsube category came on stage in high rhythm, and for a moment one could wonder if they would keep the momentum.

The Tsutsube dance is usually started off on a slow tempo rhythm and transitions to the high beat tempo until the end of the song.

 This is so because Tsutsube dance signify healing and celebration in a song and the dancers would harmoniously demonstrate healing, giving that magical ritual which is sacred, especially within the originators of this dance.

Thereafter, to symbolise that healing has been successful, the dancers would then up their rhythm dancing in celebration. However, Diwetse group’s performance was on a fast rhythm tempo from the start.  to the end and the audience responded with screams and ululations to the marvellous performance they displayed on stage.

Nca’anca’ase Traditional group from Charleshill took the stage before Diwetse, and as expected the group were in their usual element. Originally from New Xanagas, Nca’anca’ase dance group has proved to be the country’s number one Tsutsube dance, with their spectacular performance year in year out and even when they entertain.

Being in competition with the Ghanzi district group is an obvious admission that they will be winners.

 Although the audience gave other groups a warm reception and happy screams when Nca’anca’ase delivered their magical routines the crowd went wild and even released the same experience when the group’s two-weapon female dancers, Rebecca Hendricks and Tebogo Botlhole made an appearance during the performance and at the end.

Hendricks has terrorised other groups with her vibrant presence on stage over the years, and Botlhole, a Ramotswa native who is also known by the name V8 teamed up with Hendricks a few years ago in their quest to defend their championship in any way possible. Although she is a great dancer, this year Hendricks’ simply the best performance has slightly slowed down, however, she is still her fans favourite and  they could not hold back their excitement each time she showed up in a dance.

 On the other hand, V8 is still on her best element as she energetically electrified the crowd with her performance.

Whilst Nca’anca’ase retained their spot of position one, Diwetse got position three and Gatalatau from Gaborone and Tshetlha ya Dikgwa from Maun were awarded position two and four respectively in the Tsutsube category.

In the Phathisi category, Dipela tsa ga Kobokwe came in blazing to claim back their championship in this category.

In 2019 competitions, Kala tsa Kgale from Selebi Phikwe were crowned champions. It was evident from Dipela tsa ga Kobokwe that they still had a sore wound from Kala tsa Kgale, as they gave everything to bring the crown back to Kweneng.  Dipela tsa ga Kobokwe had stayed on top of their game for a good six years in the previous competitions before Kala tsa Kgale dethroned them in 2019.

The Kweneng boys and girls must have had a tough time accepting, and clearly they had a good year introspecting on how they would fight tooth and nail to claim back the throne.

Their return in 2022 showed a group determined and focused on the win as they brought the energy that the crowd loved.

But Kala tsa Kgale did not give in easily. They stomped authority on stage with effortless energy as they displayed a winner’s performance, with remarkable choreography.

 Kala tsa Kgale closed the competition with a standing ovation from the entire hall with screams and ululations which for some meant a win.

From the audience’s point despite Dipela tsa ga Kobokwe’s magical return, Kala tsa Kgale were the winners of this category but the judges’ decision is always final and not everyone would be granted their wish in a  competition of any kind.

The group were crowned second in this category. Other groups Tilodi tsa Sekgwa from Charleshill were crowned fourth whilst Meribo Creations got the number three spot.

The Traditional Song and Dance competition included various categories of Diware which was won by  Mwathiya Thicho, Chobe Seperu was bagged by  Nandavwe, North West Seperu was scooped by Tiwazani while Francistown Cultural Ensemble won Hosana. Sebirwa was won by Re tla re ke Dipitse whilst Setapa was won by Ditlhokamotlhaodi.

Winners in the Traditional Song and Dance category walk away with P30 000, whilst positions two, three and four received P25 000, P22 500 and P20 500 respectively.  ENDS