08 Sep 2024

Culture, although dynamic, is pivotal in nation building and cohesion as enshrined in Vision 2036 under the pillar of human and social development,  First Lady Ms Neo Masisi has said.

Speaking during the inaugural Bobirwa Culture Day, Saturday, said while celebrating cultural days, Batswana should be reminded of the importance culture played, not only in the development of the nation, but also in knitting communities together.

“By celebrating this day, we are not only celebrating our culture, we are also building a formidable community,” said Masisi who found the day to have been a celebration of unity in diversity that integrated various cultural aspects while also fostering the spirit of mutual respect.

While buoyed by the late founding president of Botswana, Sir Seretse Khama’s judicious sage that ‘a nation without a past is a lost nation and a people without a past is a people without a soul,’ the First Lady said Sebirwa song and dance, in particular, was a clear demonstration of cultural heritage that had been passed to the young ones.

Consequently, she commended the past and current leadership of the country for allowing Batswana the latitude to enjoy their cultural activities unfettered. 

She argued that such freedoms were bereft in some countries with stringent rules

The First Lady said in a fast-paced and inevitably dynamic culture, celebration of a culture was significant in reminding all of the importance of culture in binding the communities together.

“This day accords us an opportunity to introspect on our culture and how we can best relay it to the younger ones… from traditional song and dance to traditional food and arts…these are true testaments of our rich and colourful culture,” she said.

She also called on for support to performing artists who she found to have breathed life into the cultural day by stoking and rekindling cultural sentiment in the minds and before the eyes of those who lived it.

While praising cultural enthusiasts for culture resuscitation and thronging the day in scores, she also advised that the event be documented for future. 

Not only that, the First Lady also advised that the soon-to-be an annual event should be marketed and advertised extensively to attract even greater multitudes.

“It must be an unforgettable experience to the revelers and enthusiasts,” she said while cognisant of the magnitude of the event although in its infancy

Kgosi Joel Masilo said the day was a mark of the beginning of a colossal event in future.

“We are introspecting as morafe and doing so with cognisance that culture is dynamic, but this cultural dynamism should not stifle us of our identity as Babirwa,” said Kgosi Masilo who added that dynamism in culture should rather enhance the lives of his people.

Kgosi Masilo said while kgosi was a unifying figure, they should also help chart the way for cultural preservation.

Deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Tshepo Mophuting said the ministry promoted culture with input from dikgosi and the communities.

He said without the aforementioned stakeholders, cultural preservation and celebrations would fail prematurely.

While observing that performers displayed culture in many forms and shapes during their performances, Mophuting called for protection of performing arts. 

He said the ministry had fostered patenting of Seperu dance, dikhwaere and clay-pot making.

“This is crucial for us to evade a situation where we may find ourselves barred from practicing some aspects of our culture because someone has registered them as their own,” he said.

Mophuting also appealed that performing artists be paid for their services every time they are engaged. Ends