Botswana: Botswana Tutume district held the Polka & Traditional Instruments Regional level competitions this past Saturday, May 20th, 2023.
Speaking at the event, Acting Principal Programmes Coordinator I, Mr Joseph Goememang, said the government continues to recognize the creative industries as key drivers of economic transformation hence the deliberate action to host the NAF competitions annually.
He also highlighted that there is a need to reflect and see how far the country has come in terms of cultural representation. He said that such milestones deserve to be celebrated.
Principal Programmes Coordinator Goememang emphasized that the culture industry participates in the narrative and development of the country. Therefore it is relatively impossible to talk about development if consumption spaces are not built.
He mentioned that the idea behind the exercise was to showcase Botswana’s raw and unfiltered talent but, most importantly, to deliver a strong message that, indeed, the arts and culture industry has the potential to be utilized as a catalyst to generate professional opportunities for Batswana and to also boost the country’s economy if built from grassroots.
He applauded all participants for continuing to honour the heritage that our forefathers have left for us to secure, cherish and unapologetically take pride in.
The results of the competition are as follows:
POLKA
1. Achievers Polker Group
2. Legit Polker Gorup
3. Okavango Deaf Polkers
1. Onkabe Mokhomma
2. Ginger Ramatebele
3. Tengeno Moleele
SETINKANE
1. Oteng Mpesi
2. Kemoitsemang Makaso
3. Gaone Mahufa
1. Maikano Tirelo
2. Michael Monang
3. Motshereganyi Kgololo
Moreover, these kinds of programmes in the district are very common; on the same day, they also organized National Arts Festival regional eliminations at Tutume McConnel College- Traditional Instruments.
The Department of Youth, Gender and Sports promote all kind of talents, like Artistry, Sports, Entrepreneurship, and many more. They also launched their 𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐔𝐑𝐒 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐘, in which they talked about Queen Kgotlaesele is the founder and director of Oak Monte Enterprises (Pty) Ltd.