30 Sep 2022

Poetry and comedy lovers were on Independence Eve treated to a humorous and colorful night under Maun stars at Okavango Craft Brewery.

The poetry and comedy night was part of the three-day Maun carnival, which pulled poetry giants; Berry Heart, The Memory, with a touch of Maun’s bred Mandisa Mabutho and Anthony Molosi.

Comedy cruise didn’t disappoint with Ribcracker, Goodie the bad, Pops Masalila and Seronga’s very own Prince who is a new kid on the block.

The audience loved Prince as he paid homage to his beloved village Seronga spicing it up with his Seyeyi twang tickling up the audiences.

Mandisa delivered a well-polished poetic ensemble with a dash of sweet melodies echoing through the night, reminiscing on her childhood chanting Hang in there Cinderella.

Anthony reverberated the story of Ngamiland nestling up the world’s beauty and wonder, Okavango Delta. He left the audience spellbound with a somber enactment of Dear God depicting the fear of losing loved ones and broken souls in the world.

Berry Heart delivered a rather sad piece dedicated to all women who had suffered gender-based violence. She recounted the trauma women lived in for  fear of losing their precious lives at the hands of men who constantly brutally murdered them.

Deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of environment and Tourism, Mr Boatametse Modukanele expressed hope that the event would become annual.

He highlighted that many a times Maun served as a transit to Okavango Delta with tourists bypassing and missing out on the culture and the uniqueness that Maun offered.

“Tourism is what makes Ngamiland thrive and there is diversity in tourism here in Maun, from people, culture, food, language, even drinks.’’

He said it was fitting that the carnival was celebrated during the Independence holidays because it resonated well with the spirit of Botswana pride, telling Botswana stories through song and dance, poetry, comedy, culture and food.

Mr Modukanale advised the organisers to start planning for next year’s edition sooner so that Batswana and the rest of the world would prepare for it in time.

He further thanked Botswana Tourism Organisation for supporting the carnival, adding that original ideas such as Maun Carnival deserved backing from all stakeholders. Ends