31 Mar 2025

Patrons of the Madikwe Cultural Festival travelled great distances, with some journeying from as far as Maun, to partake in the vibrant celebration held in Sikwane on Saturday.

Loud music spilling from the venue at the edge of the village, created a lively atmosphere and an inviting environment which attracted a large crowd of families and friends. Attendees of all ages embraced the occasion, each adding their own flair, with the iconic blue leteisi emerging as the standout choice among the colourful array of outfits.

To kick off the festivities, Kgosi Bana Sekai officially opened the event and appealed to organisers to consider including dikhwaere, a prominent aspect of Bakgatla culture, as part of the event. Celebrated through a dominance of traditional elements, from dress to food, he said the festival, which was born four years ago, was essential as it served as a reminder of how important culture was. He added that the event had shown significant growth, thus attracting visitors from afar.

In terms of entertainment, the patrons were treated to a mix of DJs and traditional groups such as Mmurubele, a women’s group from Molepolole. This year also saw the introduction of a new act, the Ramotswa Brass Band. Talented traditional music icon Segomotso Nkgomo, known popularly as Kgobola or Mr Chinese, brought back memories of yesteryear.

As the sun began to set, bright lights illuminated the venue, paving the way for musical giants, with Mma Ausi taking the stage first. Clad in a brown skimpy traditional outfit, she kept the audience on their toes with songs like Segonyana and 2 Pula. Artifacts such as ditlatlana and grass brooms added flair to her performance, while her dancers electrified the crowd, leaving them asking for more.

Following her vibrant set, Scavenger, who has been enjoying airplay with his porpular song Itshwarelele, took the stage. His unmatched energy and commanding presence sent the crowd into cheers with his electric moves and engaging lyrics. In a surprising twist, he switched to gospel mid-performance, moving revellers into prayer mode. While still in this spiritual realm, he briefly previewed two new songs before wrapping up his performance with Itshwarelele.

Next on the lineup was Dr Vom, accompanied by Bana Bana BaNtogwa. In his signature robe, Dr Vom took the stage with his timeless hit Tsaya Thobane, inspiring revellers to dance with tree branches, an emblem that has become synonymous with his performances. Dr Vom, whom fans have eagerly awaited, proceeded to perform Molepolole. With a track record of success, he seems to have captured the essence of music, as his songs have stood the test of time and never went out of fashion, with many terming the classic Tsaya Thobane the ‘national anthem.’

In an interview, the event’s spokesperson, Henny Maruapula, shared that the festival, born from the vision of a couple, Tshegofatso and Modise Powane has seen remarkable growth since its inception four years ago, with attendance rising from 150 to just over 700 this year.

To enhance the overall experience, Maruapula said that this year’s edition featured more artists than DJs, while strictly engaging local talent. The lineup included Dr Vom, Mma Ausi and Scavenger, ensuring a vibrant showcase of Botswanan music.

Furthermore, Maruapula stressed the intent to empower the community by engaging local DJs such as Batsy and Seann, alongside providing security, cleaning services and catering from within the community.

As the festival approaches its fifth anniversary next year, Maruapula expressed the desire to give back to the community, creating lasting memories and ensuring the festival is not solely for profit.

Given the festival's significant growth, he appealed for partnerships from various stakeholders, aiming to empower more people and support additional local acts. ENDS