9 July 2009
Kanye's cultural music troupe, Tsosangwao - not to be confused with Kasane troupe Matsosa Ngwao - are currently representing Botswana in the second edition of the Pan African Cultural Festival in Algeria.
The group has been in the North African country since July 5 and will continue to entertain there until July 20.
According to the project manager at Glamshouts Events and Talent Management company, Tafadzwa Muzondo, the Kanye ensemble Flew into Algiers, the Algerian capital, on July 5 on a government of Botswana sponsorship.
The group is showcasing Botswana culture in Algeria and has been attracting the local peoples who have been flocking the Botswana troupe's rehearsals in the Algerian city on the Mediterrenean Sea coast.
Muzondo says Tsosangwao will stage up to seven performances as part of the continental cultural showpiece, which has attracted many countries, including Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, Mali, Senegal, Guinea, Nigeria, Uganda, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Benin, Madagascar, the Seychelles, Namibia.
"They will also have an opportunity to sell Botswana culture through dance as well as encourage people to visit Botswana as a tourist destination with a vibrant culture through performances and presentations to the whole of Africa gathered in Algeria," Muzondo added.
Tsosangwao was chosen to represent Botswana after coming second out of 15 others at the President's Day celebrations' mini-festival held in Molepolole on May 2.
Contacted for comment, the head of delegation Tiny Manama, from the Department of Arts and Culture said: "We have been warmly received by the organisers and fellow artists and I am happy to have our artists getting continental exposure at this festival, which is happening for the second time after 40 years".
"The vibrancy of different cultures and the different styles by dance groups will be memorable to the artists and to me as an arts administrator," Manama further said.
Tsosangwao is made up of out of school unemployed youth, who want to make a living from their culture and they have participated in various youth rallies and corporate events but this is their first international exposure.
Muzondo, who is also attending the festival, said he is happy with the group's debut in Algeria and would want to engage them in future events.
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