10 Feb 2025

This year marks 20 years of existence for Son of the Soil (SOTS), one of the most popular and longest running cultural and heritage festivals in Botswana.

A celebration in honour of this milestone is planned for February 22 at Boetelo Sunvalley Resort in Notwane. The year was 2005 when Bana ba Mmala Trust birthed the event, which has over the years served as a melting pot of cultural activities, information sharing and culture preservation for patrons.

SOTS has a following from across the country as well as from neighboring countries mainly because it exposes youth to cultural activities that allow them to be in touch with their roots and heritage.

“We are excited and thrilled to have come this far, celebrating our culture with the full support of Batswana. It has not been a smooth ride though, given that events are costly to put together and some die along the way but, we have persevered,” SOTS event producer, Sydney ‘BoogieSyd’ Nzala said.

The 20th anniversary themed, Ngwao, Segarona. Re Ipela Goya Goile, will be packed with activities, including the return of the Metswaiso chillas, an evening of folk telling stories, singing, poetry and dance. The Metswaiso event will be held on Friday 21.

The main event promises to dazzle fans with rich cultural activities of traditional Setswana games such as mhele, diketo, koi and many others; and not forgetting the popular sundown essence of SOTS, which is the battle of dikhwaere by north vs. south choirs.

Line up performances of the evening include Matsieng, Captain Dira, Dikakapa, Culture Spears, Ncaa’Ncaase Traditional group, Solly Sebotso among others with addition of some afro commercial entertainment by Juu Matere, George Swabi and South Africa’s Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Bongo Maffin.

Closing off the 20th year SOTS edition on Sunday 23 will be an afro soul melodic event from Bhudaza, Shanti Lo, Mpho Sebina, Lister Boleseng and others. Nzala said there will be various stalls showcasing local talent which will give SOTS audience an opportunity to buy the crafts and learn more. ENDS