Nyangabgwe Cultural Festival rescheduled to August 2017

Nyangabgwe cultural festival director, Ngwisiwa Ntogwa, recently told VIBE that the festival has been moved from April to August this year.

Ntogwa, who is also the lead of the Francistown based traditional group, Tjilenje ntje ngwao, pointed out that since the inauguration of the festival two years ago, the April rainfall had interrupted proceedings of the festival hence their decision to move it to August.

“The stakeholders of the festival were irked by the annual disturbance of the rainfall and we unilaterally decided to move the show to the month of August. We have now revamped the show to include more activities,” he said.

Ntogwa pointed out that although the main show is pencilled for 26th August 2017, activities of the show will start on the 24th with a marathon which will be held at Nyangabgwe hill.

The 25th will be the touring of the festival venue by the Francistown City Mayor, Youth and Culture Francistown coordinator, police bosses and local chiefs. “As one way of promoting our local culture, the delegation will tour the venue aboard a donkey cart and a traditional selei which will also be pulled by donkeys,” he explained.

Ntogwa noted that popular jazz artists Oliver Mutukuzi and Ringo Madlingozi will possibly headline the main event. “We have already approached Madlingozi and although we had a successful meeting, I am not prepared to divulge much right now. We also hope to strike a deal with Mutukuzi before August,” he said. He added that the two international acts would be joined by several artists who had taken part in the Presidential competitions.

Ntogwa also said that marketing and advertisement for the cultural event will kick-start next month with activations, radio jingles and promotions.