BOPEU’s cultural night enthralling
The Botswana Public Employees Union’s (BOPEU) cultural night held this past weekend at Tlotlo Conference Centre in Gaborone under the theme ‘Seboba re bata sa mokwatla sa mpa re a mpampetsa’, was an enthralling event.
From the attire to the food and music, it was clear that the night was designed to promote culture, while at the same time raising funds to give back to the community. The cultural dinner attracted people from almost all parts of the country. In fact the tickets were sold out and some people bounced at the doors, with that enthusiasm of lending a giving hand while embracing culture. The conference room looked stunning. It was clear that Setswana culture is also stylish just like western culture. Couples came in for the date and some families also came to wine and dine at the event. The room was also accessorised with common cultural décor while on each table there was a small three-legged pot for the rich snack; kabu (boiled maize). The foods of the night were proudly from Batswana fields including; samp, bogobe jwa lerotse, morogo wa dinawa together with beef and pounded goat meat (seswaa) and boiled Tswana chicken among other foods. `
Bojalwa jwa Setswana was also in abundance for the imbibers. Everyone at the event appreciated the meals. “We need such events very often because these days we just depend on fast foods from food outlets because jobs keep us busy from even visiting our own fields to embrace our staple food,” one of the attendants told BG Style.
On the other hand, one could easily spot that Botswana designers and the fashion industry continue to grow. Everyone had observed the protocol of the night and was dressed in their most fancy cultural wear of different designs. Ladies’ dresses, pants, tops, jumpsuits and even men’s shirts all looked stylish and trendy.
This proved that fashion designers have upgraded to another level when it comes to designing using African print. It is no longer about the old simple dresses and skirts only but the elegant fashionable clothes made out of the African print in different designs. The cultural night had the most elegant audience ever.
The audience was treated to the spontaneous music of renowned local artists including Dipela tsa ga Kobokwe, the united Culture Spears with a comeback of the sensational artist; Selonyana, Ditiro Leero, Dr Vom and Sereetsi & The Natives. All these groups did fairly well as they interacted so well with the audience causing them to linger for more of their superb music. President Ian Khama’s favourite music and dance Polka, was also represented by Welkom Polka Group, which also stunned the audience.
The BOPEU annual cultural night came bigger and better after failure to host one last year due to budget constraints. This year’s funds will be given to the selected underprivileged organisations yet to be announced after the final assessments.
