20 Aug 2023

Kwena Madiba Traditional Dance Group has been praised for a sterling performance during the National Arts Festival Competitions.

The group presented their championship trophy to Kgosi Kgari III and MP for Molepolole South Kabo Morwaeng during an event held at the Molepolole main kgotla on Wednesday.

Speaking during the ceremony, Morwaeng said he was pleased to see a group of Molepolole youths who were interested in preserving their culture.

He said the traditional song and dance, phathisi and borankana, originate from Bakwena and therefore Kwena Madiba had to win.

“We have to show Batswana that phathisi and borankana are our traditional forms of song and dance,” he said.

MP Morwaeng, who is also Minister for State President called upon Batswana to change their mindset and earn income through the creative industry.

He said singing and dancing should not be for entertainment purposes only but could be a source of income. 

He praised the group for showing respect to their roots by paying Kgosi Kgari III a visit as they had also done prior to the competitions.

“We are happy that you also behaved well during the competitions as we have not received reports of wayward behaviour,” he said.

Morwaeng has agreed to sponsor traditional song and dance competitions in his constituency as he has been doing with football following a request from the group patron Andrew Selwe.

Kgosi Kgari III said he was happy the group performed well and brought home the trophy, an indication that they were only focused on the competition.

For his part, Kweneng District council chairperson Allen Jacob said the trophy indicated a high level of discipline and urged them to remain united. Selwe said the journey to the National Arts Competitions finals was not an easy one as they needed resources.He said the P35 000 prize money should be reviewed as it does not cover all costs incurred during the competitions, adding that the majority of their members were unemployed.

The group formed in 2011 has grown in numbers and activities and the group leader Deshie Karen said this also meant more challenges that required stakeholders to assist.

He was thankful to the wife of MP Morwaeng who assisted with guidance and resources.

Karen said groups like Kwena Madiba were important as they prevented youths from engaging in criminal activities.ENDS