01 Jul 2024

Kgalagadi’s colourful, vibrant cultural heritage came to play on Saturday at the National Arts Festival, western region competitions.

The groups did not disappoint as scores of traditional music fanatics were treated to rich display of culture at the  competitions in Tsabong where 15 Polka groups and nine Namastaap groups battled it out to book themselves a place at the National Arts Festival competitions slated for Ghanzi on Saturday.

Trek ‘E’ Ding Polka group from Vaalhoek proved to be a cut above the rest, attaining position one, followed by Tsabong Polka group, while last year’s regional winners Remmogo Polka group from Ghanzi scooped position three failing to book themselves a space in the nationals.

Only two Polka groups will proceed to the nationals to face two other groups from Maun and Central, Gaborone and Southern regions.

Trek ‘E’ Ding Polka group leader Amogelang Visagie could not hide his excitement at their achievement saying it meant a lot after enduring years of no victory since 2018.

“All of our group members are not employed. Polka is our source of livelihood, this win means a lot,” he said.

The victory has inspired them to do better at the nationals. He said the win did not come by easily as they had to do introspection to rectify their mistakes in the past competitions.

 In the Namastaap category, Tsabong groups: Tibasen scooped position one beating the 2024 national champions Khoesip at position two while Ihunikam scooped position three and You and I from Ramotswa scooped position four.

“The competition was tough, we managed because we had prepared very well and we are happy with the results. We have all that it takes and we will work even harder to win at nationals,” said Tibasen group leader Fredrick Cooper in an interview.

In an interview, Ministry of Youth Gender Sport and Culture, Kgalagadi, acting principal programmes officer Keabetswe Motswasele said the western region block consisted of Tsabong, Ghanzi, Hukuntsi, Charleshill districts where top two Polka groups were selected from 15 competing groups while top four Namastaap groups were selected from the competing nine groups to compete in the nationals.

He said in the past all Polka groups competed for nationals in Tsabong as there were many groups there but that changed this year adding that a decision was made for the groups to compete in their regions as Polka had spread to other parts of the country.

Motswasele said groups which failed to make it in the competitions received no consolation prizes adding that only Polka group which had attained position three would be awarded P10 000.

At national level, he said National Arts Festival hadincreased prizes adding that four groups would compete under each category where position one prize money had been increased from P30 000 to P50 000, Position two has been increased from P25 000 to P42 000, position three has been increased from P22 500 to P38 000 while position four prize has been increased from P20 000 to P33 000.

Delivering objectives of the competition, MYSC deputy district coordinator for Kgalagadi Dintle Kenosi the competitions were run under the theme: The Creative Economy: Botswana’s Economic Future Redefined, adding that the objective was to empower the artists economically to improve their livelihoods, to promote and preserve culture by giving young people opportunity to unleash and nurture talent.

She said the competitions also served to unearth talent thus she implored artists to work hard and deliver rich and classic renditions.

For his part MP for Kgalagadi South Samuel Brooks said government had demonstrated commitment to developing the creative industry thus it was pertinent for communities to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and the diversity.

He said maintaining originality during performance was very important to avoid losing important components of culture.

MP Brooks said artists played a pivotal role in preserving the nation’s culture and therefore must embrace their responsibility with the necessary rigor and diligence. He highlighted that government continued to increase prize monies to acknowledge the creative industry for culture preservation for posterity as well as branding Botswana.

He appreciated growth in the creatives as reflected by more groups who continued to register to participate.

Polka chief judge Mr Aron Visagie appreciated artistes for quality performance, which he said  reflected that groups had prepared.

The groups were juged on team work, stage presence, attire, uniformity, form and dance, time management. ENDS