Maureen Odubeng
16 September 2008
Maruapula School is organising a Setswana Week, which started yesterday and ends on Friday (September 19).
Initiated by the school's Setswana department, in collaboration with a number of Batswana employees in the school, under the theme Setso ke boikarabelo jwane (culture is my business), the week is aimed at promoting Setswana culture among the youth.
Organising committee chairperson and Setswana teacher Keorapetse Tshwene told Showbiz that the week was arranged following concerns that Setswana tradition/culture is slowly disappearing especially among the younger generation. It is common knowledge that Maruapula School is one of the best English medium schools, catering for different nationalities, and as such most of the students, including Batswana, are more exposed to the English language and Western influence.
Tshwene explained that the week is meant to challenge the youth to see the importance of taking pride in their own culture and traditions. He noted that to some degree the younger people have a perception that Setswana and its culture and traditions cannot take them anywhere in life. He explained that Setswana Week, amongst others, is meant to change such perceptions.
For her part, committee's secretary and assistant librarian Kelebogile Lepodise said that because Maruapula is a private school with English as the principal medium of instruction, they felt it necessary to organise such a week to promote Setswana language, culture and traditions. She also stated that as an international school, Maruapula, in fact, has weeks devoted to celebrating and promoting other languages and cultures. She said to spice up their programme, they have invited a number of people to give talks during the week. They include Judith Sefhako, a well-known passionate culture and tradition activist who scooped the Five Roses Thari Ya Sechaba award as well as the Arts and Culture Practitioner awards last year. Lepodise explained that in choosing guest speakers they were looking at individuals who "are not only knowledgeable but also share a passion" of promoting both Setswana culture and language.
"Our master of ceremonies will be Benson Phuthego. We picked him for the job because of his ability to play around with Setswana words, and he will be supported by Comfort "Big Fish" Ramatebele, who is similarly gifted."
She further explained that apart from these two's satisfactory knowledge of the Setswana language, they are young, and as such it can encourage the youth to take pride in their mother tongue, and culture.
The committee, with the help of colleagues, has erected a Setswana hut, and a Kgotla, from which most of the activities will be conducted.
Setswana Week will have traditional food, including magwinya (fat cakes) and serobe (tripe, Ntirelang Berman, a folk artist, will spearhead various activities, including the quiz. Other activities throughout the week will include dances by Maruapula Traditional Troupe, display of canvas and picture frames, and a video show.
The climax however will be on Friday, when a number of activities such as Dikgafela (to be presented by Maruapula staff), and performances by Notwane Primary School doing Marabi dance, will take place. Maruapula School traditional troupe as well as the Bamalete Dithakga tsa Mmino Choral are also programmed to showcase their talents.
The week will end with a cultural concert to be held at Maitisong. Performers will include BDF Band, Sedibeng Choir, Mogwana Traditional Group, Tsoga Africa Theatre Works, Quni, Sesarwa singer from Kang, and Ditholwana Dance Group. Gaborone Central Member of Parliament (MP) Dumelang Saleshando is expected to grace the event.
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