02 Mar 2025

This past weekend, Son of the Soil, commemorated its 20th anniversary in spectacular fashion at Tashy’s Gardens in Boatle.

With this milestone anniversary, organisers planned a three-part extravaganza to celebrate Son of the Soil’s rich legacy.

On Friday, the festivities began with Metswaiso Chillas, a cultural gathering featuring captivating folk tales, stirring poetry, and dance performances. On Saturday, the main event displayed a variety of traditional Setswana games, such as Mhele, Diketo, and skipping rope as well as a strong line up of seasoned musicians in the evening.

The grand finale on Sunday showcased a range of Afro-soul performances, featuring established artists; Bhudaza, Shanti Lo, Mpho Sebina, and Lister Boleseng.

On Saturday afternoon, as the sun descended, a large number of revelers decended into Tarshy’s Gardens in time for the “Battle of North vs South Choirs,” which is always a thriller at sundown.

After a scintillating performance of the choirs, the stage was immediately set alight as legendary George Swabi took centre stage, enchanting the audience with his signature songs.

His performance of Bagammangwato ba ga Mabiletsa brought the crowd to its feet, dancing and singing along in unison as if transported back to a bygone era. The nostalgia filled performance ended with a standing ovation from the captivated audience, who savoured the momentary escape into the cherished sounds of their childhood.

Swabi’s rendition of Takonata reignited warmth of nostalgia among mature members of the audience, stirring a sense of reminiscence and longing for days gone by while also introducing this iconic song to the younger generation.

In a break from tradition, Dr Vom’s legendary Tsaya Thobane performance was moved earlier in the evening’s lineup.

However, the shift in scheduling did nothing to dampen the song’s impact.

As Dr Vom launched into the iconic anthem, the crowd erupted in fervor, their energy reaching fever pitch as they danced and sang along.

As it is tradition, as the song progressed, the audience followed in a procession behind Dr Vom, singing and swaying to the infectious rhythm of Tsaya Thobane waving sticks and branches in time with the music, adding to the spectacle of the moment.

Amidst the whirlwind of activity, the festival’s organisers also brought a welcome surprise to the stage, Kgobola, a traditional artiste who had been absent from the music scene for some time.

His distinctive sound and beloved hits like, Ga ke batle go nyalwa kwa ga ngwaketse and O ya kae koo drew cheers from the crowd, as he triumphantly returned to the limelight.

The star-studded lineup did not disappoint, with explosive performances from beloved groups like Dikakapa, Culture Spears, and Captain Dira, each bringing their unique flavour to the evening’s festivities.

To the delight of both young and old, the festival also featured some iconic South African artistes who had dominated the airwaves during the 90s.

Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Bongo Maffin took the stage, adding an international flavour to the homegrown celebration.

For urbanites, Son of the Soil offered a rare opportunity to escape the hectic pace of city life and unwind amid the tranquil surroundings of traditional culture.

As first-time attendee, Tiny Moatlhaping shared, “I came with two of my friends to see Yvonne Chaka Chaka, one of our favourite artistes from back in the day, but also to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the festival. It’s a perfect opportunity for people like us to just have fun in a decent, safe environment.”

The festival’s dress code, which encourages traditional attire, added to the visual spectacle.

Attendees proudly donned stylish garments made from leteisi to demonstrate the joy and pride they take in showcasing their traditional heritage.

The legacy and growing appeal of Son of the Soil are evident in its steadily increasing attendance, particularly among younger audiences.

Chairperson of Bana ba Mmala, Geoffrey Bakwena, was pleased with the development.

“It’s heartening to see the youth becoming more interested in their roots and culture,” he said.

To ensure the festival remains relevant to younger audiences, organisers have consciously programmed younger artistes, including Thato Tladi, Lioness Ratang, Juu Matere, and Mpho Sebina.

“We understand that culture is not static,” explained Bakwena.

“Our programming reflects this by incorporating modern influences from both within our borders and beyond. The performances by our international acts, such as Bongo Maffin, Bhudaza, and Yvonne Chaka Chaka, truly reflected our shared cultural history,” he said.

The festivities concluded on Sunday with a mellow and soulful end to the weekend over a jazz session, featuring a host of talented artists such as Bhudaza, Shanti Lo, Mpho Sebina, and Lister Boleseng and others. Ends