Botswana: Botswana Pantsula Association, in partnership with the Botswana Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, held the Pantsula dance championship grand finale in Metsimotlhabe Community Hall this past Saturday.
During the keynote address at the event, Policy Specialist- Arts and Culture Dean Molebatsi said the Ministry was delighted to be part of the event, which is the first of its kind to be celebrated in the country.
He reiterated that the Association’s initiative is to relay messages of change and hope through their distinctive sub-culture and lifestyle of music, dance and a smart, distinctive dress code that portrays a particular code of conduct and ethics of contemporary social issues. “This is in reference to their free style dance moves dubbed ‘DONTY KA OKAPI’ discouraging the use of a knife in social ills.
Pantsula is the main and most constant South African sub-culture, originating in the 1970s in townships and representing the identity of several generations of its black population.
The dance competitions winners were awarded as follows in the following positions:
Group Contestants:
1. Serowe 248 points P25,000
2. Sthweneng 242 points P20,000
3. Jwaneng 190 points P15,000
4. Rekopane 186 points P10,000
5. Maun 182 points P5000
Solo Female Contestants:
1. Thamaga 206 points P10,000 Fena Rannokgwane
2. Mahalapye 177 points P8000 Bame Goememang
3. City Ollas 176 points P6000 Boitumelo Sesinyi
4. Letlhakane East 165 points P4000 Priscilla Ratladi
5. Ghetto 154 points P2000 Gofaone
Solo Male contestants:
1. Ghetto 252 points P10,000 Bontle Mzanywa
2. Serowe 231 points P8000 Koketso Sedisa
3. Rekopane 230 points P6000
4. Zola 217 points P4000 Boloko
5. Lekgomantlha 215 points P2000 Thabiso Ramogale
The event was graced by The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Mr Kagiso Kitso Kemoeng; National Arts Council of Botswana CEO, Ms Shombi Ellis; Director of Corporate Services, Mr Seakarea Rox Rabalone and Patron for the Botswana Pantsula Association Mr Taolo Moshaga.
MYSC executive also met with Youth business owners for the Youth Sector Sub-HLCC meeting to discuss issues that affect youth entrepreneurs in the country. The forum is mandated to create an enabling environment for youth to debate emerging issues and challenges encountered in entrepreneurship.
