05 Feb 2023

Like a universal language that brings people together, Son of the Soil (SOTS) brought together culture enthusiasts at Tashy’s Royal Garden on Saturday.

SOTS, which started 20 years back as a small social backyard gathering to reminisce on the festive celebrations, has now become a national cultural event.

The event is aimed at fostering a sense of national pride and cultural identity.

Peppered with the vibrant traditional attires and indigenous games such as Mhele, this year’s event  proved worth attending.

This year’s edition also treated patrons music by Ringo Madlingozi of South Africa,  Botswana’s legendary Ndingo Jowa, Sereetsi and the Natives, Lizibo and Khoi San, who  claimed the night with  their performance. The Botswana squad not only delivered sterling performances but also came to the party honouring the theme of the event with stylish traditional attires.

SOTS patron Prof Sheila Tlou applauded Bana ba Mmala Trust who are the pioneers of the event.

“These were young people who initiated the idea with no knowledge of what they were doing, but they were determined to learn and today their efforts are paying off,” said Prof Tlou appreciating Bana ba Mmala Trust.

She further appreciated young people who still embraced and celebrated their national identity and culture, saying Botswana’s cultural heritage would not vanish  when elders are no more. She said the essence of SOTS was to appreciate culture especially that Botswana culture had many aspects to it.

“I am glad to see young people attending this event, I am hoping that this spirit is carried on even for our future generation. It warms my heart as it shows that Son of the Soil will still be celebrated even when we are no more,” Prof Tlou said.

A day prior to the event, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi in a tweet  encouraged and applauded Bana Ba Mmala Trust for their role in promoting and preserving Botswana’s rich heritage culture.

Dr Masisi urged the creative industry to use culture as a way to provide entertainment, drive tourism and ‘exposing our arts and cultures to international markets’.

He also encouraged the entertainment industry to use culture as a contribution to socio-economic inclusion, cultural diversity and sustainable human development.

“We have a lot to offer as a country, it is up to you to seize that opportunity. Government is committed to ensuring that this industry grows and thrives as an important contributor to our economy,” Dr Masisi tweeted.

Responding to President Masisi’s tweet in an interview, Bana ba Mmala Trust chairperson David Kepaletswe said as event pioneers with an experience they were available to upcoming cultural event promoters to share ideas and knowledge on how to successfully run shows.

“Any young person willing to host a cultural show, we are available as Bana Ba Mmala to help. We have published cultural documents and they are in the public domain where these young ones can learn more about our culture,” said Kepaletswe.

Kepaletswe said SOTS had also created value chain in cultural tourism events.

“We have empowered over 50 local companies this year and we hope to grow the number in the next edition. We are determined to ensure that cultural shows benefit the country economically as indicated by President Masisi,” Kepaletswe said. BOPA