31 Aug 2023

 The 15^th edition of Dithubaruba Cultural Festival will be held Saturday  at the iconic Ntsweng heritage site, famously known as Kwa Ga-Mmakgosi.

The annual event celebrates the rich and diverse culture of Bakwena tribe.

 This year’s line up includes contemporary cultural music by local artistes such as Ditiro Leero of Mme Mpeole ditedu and Matsieng fame, Culture Spears, MmaAusi, Mmurubele and Dikakapa, among others.

Patrons are expected to get value for their money through performances from award winning Sekwena troupes such as Dipela Tsa Ga Kobokwe and Bana Ba Kwena.

Four-string acoustic guitarists, Sebongile Kgaile, Solly Sebotso and Radipitse will provide the much needed entertainment with improvised chords combinations.

Speaking on the side-lines of intensive preparations, the event spokesperson Tlamelo Letlole said it was all systems go.

Letlole said as a way of retracing their roots, they had invited Kgosi Kgari Sechele III of Bakwena to perform the official opening of the festivities.

Themed: Maropeng Go a Boelwa, the event returns this year with ABSA as title sponsors with a mouth-watering P250 000 for the next three years.

“The event will also launch the new museum which is part of the Ntsweng facelift project comprising the state-of-the-art amphitheatre and reconstruction of the historic Mmakgosi house ruins among other things,” he said.

History shows that the cultural festival focused on culture of Bakwena of Molepolole and the significant role played by their late chief Kgosi Sechele I during his reign in the 1800s.

Kgosi Sechele I played an integral part in defending some Tswana tribes during the infamous Battle of Dimawe against Boers of Transvaal insurgency.

After the victory, Kgosi Sechele I relocated the Bakwena capital from Kolobeng to Ntsweng in Molepolole.

Ntsweng was abandoned in 1934 when Bakwena were forced to move by Kgosi Kgari II.

Ntsweng has since been developed into heritage site, a multi-million project that was implemented by Kgosi Sechele I Museum in partnership with Department of National Museum and Monuments.

The project aimed to develop the historical site into a cultural hub displaying Bakwena culture.

Meanwhile, Dithubaruba cultural festival has since inception in 2007, aimed at promoting the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Bakwena and their roots .

The cultural event is usually graced by Bakwena tribes from Lesotho, Namibia, Zambia, Phokeng and Bakwena of Molopa, among others.

The celebration is characterised by cultural activities including traditional dance and song. Highlight of the afternoon is usually the Bakwena signature dance setapa or phathisi.

The day also features a  thanksgiving ceremony known as Dikgafela. ENDS