27 Apr 2025

Bayeyi tribe have been encouraged to safeguard  and  pass their culture  to future generations.  Officiating at the Wayeyi Cultural Festival organised by Kamanakao Association in Gumare on Saturday, the Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs, Lesego Chombo said culture served as a distinctive marker of identity, setting individuals and communities apart  and it also offered avenues for economic activities. She applauded the Bayeyi for advocating for recognition and also thanked dikgosi for playing an important role in preserving culture and harmony between the different tribes found in Ngamiland saying Botswana government wanted a united nation.

She further appreciated the cultural ties between the Bayeyi of Botswana and those in Namibia, an act that showed that they were one and not bound by diplomatic relations that existed between the two countries.

Ngami Member of Parliament, Philemon Aaron said certain important aspects of their culture were diminishing such as naming children with their tribe names and asked that such be restored.

He was worried that none of the primary schools in Gumare was earmarked for mother tongue introduction in primary schools for Seyeyi.

In his remarks that were read on his behalf by a representative, Bayeyi in Botswana Kgosi Jacob Seidisa said Wayeyi Cultural festival had been celebrated for the 30 years and celebrated their language, dance, food and cultural practices.

He said the Bayeyi were a people rooted in culture.  ENDS