Botswana: Arts and Culture Department under the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture held a 5 day training workshop in Serowe. The aim of the workshoop was to train the attendants on the implementation of the 2003 convention for safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH).
The Senior Programs Officer, Lame Gaobatwe delivered a brief address at the event and informed the attendants about the workshop’s objectives. The Ministry also shared some images from the workshop on their social media
The Senior Programs Officer, Gaobatwe said that it is mainly to enhance the safeguarding of ICH in Botswana. She further highlighted that they seek to to establish implementation structures for the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Further, they also seek to facilitate communities to develop and implement ICH safeguarding plans.
“The first phase of the training was undertaken last financial year in Lobatse and the content was theoretical, however this second phase is wholly based on the practical aspects of the implementation of the 2003 convention for the safeguarding of ICH”, highlighted Gaobatwe.
The National ICH Expert for Botswana Bathusi Lesolobe also delivered a brief address at the event in Serowe. He indicated that with the modern day technology and urbanization, young people do not show interest in taking part in activities of preserving culture.
He also reflected on the level of deterioration and disappearance ICH. He said that the level of the deteerioraion is significantly high. However, Lesolobe mentioned that, government’s efforts to train officers goes a long way.
He asserted that it will help in preserving and promote culture of the country. He indicated that it is important that there are deliberate efforts in undertaking measures such as research and documentation for the communities to have access to their ICH elements.
Botswana Inscribed Elements are;
- Earthenware pottery making skills in Botswana Kgatleng District, year 2012.
- Dikopelo Folk music of Bakgatla Ba Kgafela, year 2017.
- Seperu Folkdance and Associated Practices, year 2019.
Currently, Botswana has made a submission to UNESCO for Wosana Ritual and Associated Practices!