31 Oct 2023

Gathering around a fireplace is said to give some sense of connection and therefore its allegory and meaning are of utmost importance in many cultures.

A true picture of this was illustrated during a cultural night organised by the Centre for Conservation of African Resources: Animals, Communities and Land (CARACAL) in Kasane on Monday.

President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi and First Lady, Ms Neo Masisi, together with their entourage, were accorded an opportunity to sit around a fireplace to appreciate its significance in the Setswana culture.

Unpacking its significance, Kgosi Mmualefhe Mmualefhe of Kachikau explained that the fireplace played a critical role in community building and discussing important issues.

He said even Bogosi institution respected the fireplace as a sacred place to discuss matters of interest like ‘go bolotsa letsema.’

“There is therefore the need to preserve the culture of sitting around the fire as a cultural norm and revive it for those who have abandoned it,” he said.

He also appreciated art and crafts on display such as weaved baskets made by the Chobe Women Art and Crafts. President Masisi and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University president, Professor Timothy Sands danced with Matsosangwao Traditional group.

They later visited Mr Mogomotsi Kabimba, a commercial fish farmer as well as Ms Otiliah Nyatsang, who owns a chicken farm and also a goat farmer, Mr Mogorosi Nawa.

CARACAL founder, Dr Kathleen Alexander said it was set up to assist and partner with government on environment and wildlife conservation.

Dr Alexander said the NGO also promoted partnerships between government and local communities in natural resource management, incorporating a biodiversity institute in Kasane.

She added that CARACAL research institute was home to a variety of animals species rescued from the wild due to injuries and other calamities.

Dr Alexander said that government had partnered with Virginia Tech in USA on environmental, animal and human health research programmes, adding it was on such a background that President Masisi visited the campus early this year, where he engaged in conversations and knowledge sharing on conservation of natural resources for mutual benefit.

She said the institution had laboratories that conducted water quality tests, emerging diseases research and educational programmes for the community.

On the cultural night, she said the event was important because it reminded Batswana of where they came from.

“Botswana is a country rich with culture and a stable democracy, which makes us proud as people because we achieved this through unity and social cohesion,” she said. Ends