The confounding chronicles of Khawa
WeekendLife
For the past five years, Khawa, a seemingly unpopular name that refers to a small rural settlement situated between the sand dunes of Kgalagadi South, quickly rose to prominence because of a yearly event which came to be known as the Annual Khawa Dune Challenge.
With time, this event, a brainchild of President Ian Khama, became the most celebrated event of its kind, attracting riders from across the region- with approximately 7,000 spectators gracing the 2016 edition, which was held this past weekend. Despite the Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) pouring millions of pula to host this VIP treat to host senior citizens and captains of industry at Khawa, there remains a troubling discrepancy between the Khawa inhabitants still living in absolute poverty on one hand and the millions poured into the event only for organisers and participants to pack up and leave with all they had brought.
I was very delighted to finally have had an opportunity to attend the Annual Khawa Dune Challenge for the very first time – one of the biggest events on the Botswana Tourism calendar. Even though I had been informed that accommodation is a camping affair, I thought it was a choice. It was not. There are no permanent accommodation facilities in Khawa and the only available village bar, if we can call it that, leaves a lot to be desired. What rendered me speechless is the 60 km gravel road from Khuis village to Khawa; the road is so bad and uncomfortable that it can only accommodate off-road vehicles.
Two million pula is invested annually to host the event with the aim of diversifying tourism and stimulating the domestic tourism market. Given that, one would think an event like this could have developed Khawa village to become a better settlement with infrastructure and better facilities.
This, in turn, could have developed the people of Khawa who could be seen approaching every parked vehicle to beg for food and clothing. The fact that every year, the President and some of his ministers, along with captains of industry, go holidaying in Khawa for a weekend only to return the following year and face the same underdeveloped village clearly shows that they only have an interest to exploit the breath-taking dunes while the locals and their poverty are ignored.
It is the dunes, not the people they are interested in.
Khawa Village has secured a prominent place on the map and has gained recognition as one of the tourism attractions in Botswana. The Botswana Tourism Organisation CEO, Thabo Dithebe, said they developed a land use plan for the village and has assisted the village trust to secure a campsite plot for use in generating sustainable income for the community. However, this has been going on for the past five years and nothing concrete is coming into focus.
As a cultural tourism event, the Khawa Cultural festival is part of an effort to diversify the tourism product offered during the Dune Challenge in terms of providing entertainment and running exhibitions alongside the other activities. The cultural festival objectives are, among others, to provide full community participation through their music and dance, providing a platform for cultural exchange as well as providing commercial space for the Khawa community to sell their cultural goods, products and services i.e. artefacts, leather products, food etc.
It seems these people have not been engaged enough to exhibit and sell their products since only a handful participated. The majority of the residents occupied stalls to sell food which is only a one off thing.
Prior to the event, Khawa Village Chief, Kgosi Piet Manyoro, expressed concern on the number of men who come to his village and impregnate young girls leaving them with fatherless children. The government seems to have ignored his plea for help and many young girls still remain vulnerable in Khawa during this event. This, if left unattended, could also lead to the spread of HIV within an innocent community that has become a victim of the popularity of their sand dunes.
Climbing up the Khawa dunes to mingle with local teenagers and trying to speak with them in Setswana got us nowhere as they responded in their deep Sekgalagadi or Afrikaans – a clear demonstration that they don’t even attend school. This was later confirmed by one of the teachers.
The only music they are familiar with is Polka, which originates from their region. They failed to appreciate musical groups, such as Wizards of the Desert, who had been brought in by the BTO to entertain revellers during the event.
The only time they danced a bit was when the popular Motabaseyo of Mahempe fame made it to the stage. This shows that these people are left behind and cannot relate to anything outside their immediate community.
The socio-economic survey, that is carried out by BTO every year, suggests positive socio-economic gains on the livelihoods of the community of Khawa and surrounding places, before and after the event. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The only people you will find being interviewed in the study are the same people who come from Gaborone and throng Khawa for the dune challenge.
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Dr Lame Pusetso comes to writer’s rescue
Multi award winning author of fifteen (15) books, Dr Lame Pusetso has put together a platform to empower local writers. Dr Pusetso is a President and Chairperson of the Executive Board of Kasapa Society.
She is also the Managing Director of Poeticblood Publishers and an owner of an online bookstore dubbed Mind and Soul Bookstores. Dr Pusetso has reiterated her commitment to helping upcoming authors, writers and poets in establishing their crafts and capitalizing on them.
In an exclusive interview this week, she said that she has put together a platform dubbed Botswana Literature Awards, which have fourteen categories.
When quizzed on what the awards stand for, Dr Pusetso said “writing as a form of art in Botswana is a skill that many have and have always been exploring. As a publisher, I have met different writers from all walks of life and some indicating that there isn’t enough motivation to keep going.”
In Botswana and according to the writer, there has been a limited representation of appreciation of authors. This is despite their efforts year in year out.
The whole intention of these awards really is to honor and recognize the hard work that local authors put in, when doing what they know best (writing).
“This is a way of appreciating their creativity and we will be doing this across all genres. The awards also act as a motivational tool to young writers who still have dreams of becoming best selling authors. Quite frankly, their works are of great importance and we cannot afford to let that slide like that.”
Dr Pusetso emphasized that all the winners will walk away with an award, a certificate and complimentary gifts to take home. “The two winners of Best Overall Author and Best Young Author will in addition receive book publication deals which includes book distribution and marketing for a year.
She gave a clearer picture of how authors can be a part of the literature awards.
“The awards are open to every author from the age of 7, must be a Motswana, and their book should have been published before or by 2022. For authors with more than one book, they are allowed to compete with only one book for one category, and different books for different categories.”
The young writer pinned hope on institutional collaborations, in order to stage the second edition of the awards next year, saying “We believe with these awards, the different institutions and stakeholders will show interest in helping nurture the literature scenario in Botswana.”
“It will also give authors hope and light to keep writing and penning down their stories for the benefit of all. We anticipate to host the next edition in 2024 with assistance from all interested parties.”
THE LITERATURE AWARDS CATEGORIES
Dr Pusetso stressed that there are fourteen (14) categories, and they are: Religious or Faith Based Book, Poetry Book, Children’s Book, Multi-lingual Writer, Best Collaboration, Setswana Novel, English Novel, Motivational Book, Best Young Author (7-13), Overall Best Author, Best Theory, Best Online Writer, Best Media Writer (Honor Award) and Honor Award (Long Serving Best Author).
EXPLAINING SPECIAL AWARDS
Best Media and Honor Award, Dr Pusetso said are not based on submissions but nomination by the committee. “For Honor Award, we want to appreciate the individual who has inspired the Botswana writing scenario over the years and even assisted numerous authors as both a writer and a community leader.”
The Best Media Writer award is meant to appreciate a journalist who is actively taking part in appreciating and helping authors in marketing, advertising and affording them a platform to showcase their works through their writing skills.
Meanwhile, the Botswana Literature Awards will be held on the 29th April and they are partially sponsored through the literacy grant. This is a grant under the Botswana National Library Services which falls under the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sports and Culture.
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Women’s Awards hit the ground running
The second edition of the much-anticipated Women’s Awards Botswana will be going down on the 27th May 2023 in Gaborone at Travel Lodge. The organizers of the prestigious awards have announced finalists, with three nominees per category.
Women’s Awards Botswana is established to empower women and celebrate them from all walks of life and across sectors. The awards raise awareness for women to be granted equal participation, particularly in decision-making positions, as one way of breaking the gender bias.
They also seek to celebrate the outstanding achievements of women from diverse industries in Botswana. Taking a closer look at the categories, He for She award celebrates and shines a light on men who stand and support women.
These are men who advocate for inclusion of women, men who stand against GBV and men who promote any service that can better women life. Her Abilities award looks into women who have shown determination to keep moving and achieve any goal they have set for themselves, regardless of their disability.
Other awards are self-explanatory. They celebrate women in arts, culture and entertainment, agriculture, creativity, innovation and technology, tourism and hospitality, community impact as well as organization supporting women.
ORGANIZER SPEAKS ON CRITERIA USED
When speaking in an interview, Founder and Director of Women’s Awards Botswana, Bofelo Zebe, said in their first edition, they had fifteen categories, which was enough for a piloting project.
“But we left out many industries or lines of work. After the event, we received reviews and suggestions, and there was an intensive evaluation that led to us increasing the categories to eighteen for this second edition.”
He said the nominees were voted in by the public, adding that the finalists were judged by a panel with the support of votes from their supporters.
When shedding light on what winners take home, Zebe indicated that there is an award trophy, certificate and goodie bags for all categories but “we are working to have financial sponsors jump on board so that winners and nominees can receive monetary incentives. We are also busy at work trying to retain our previous sponsors.”
THE 2023 WOMEN’S AWARDS BOTSWANA NOMINEES
HE FOR SHE AWARD
Desmond Lunga, Tlhabo Kgosiemang and Christopher Seagateng
BEST WOMAN IN ARTS, CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT
Ditshupo Mosoboloko, Thanolo Keutlwile and Seneo Mabengano
HER ABILITIES AWARD
Koketso Seleke, Goabo Kgasa and Mumsie Odirile
SPORTS WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Naledi Marape, Ouname Mhotsha and Keamogetse Kenosi
WOMAN FASHION DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
Montle Rantatana, Lesedi Matlapeng and Trudy Bakwena
BEST WOMAN IN AGRICULTURE
Nomathemba Masuku, Basadi Molelekeng and Keolebogile Keabetswe
BEST WOMAN IN CREATIVITY, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Marang Mbaakanyi, Didintle Moreki and Thandeka Palai
BEST WOMAN IN TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY
Masego Keleadile, Wapula Matshambane and Tshepo Phokoje
YOUNG WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Bridget Gothaang, Waone Makobo and Kimberly Matheakgomo
WOMAN OWNED SME BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Suits Africa, Nomlu Nail Bar and Sunflower Desserts
BEST WOMAN OWNED BUSINESS
Prezlin Clothing and Dawn Bell Academy
FEMALE MUSIC ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Mpho Sebina, Dato Seiko and Priscilla K
BEST ORGANIZATION SUPPORTING WOMEN
Sekao Foundation, The Fighters Support Group and Single Mothers Living with HIV
BEST WOMAN WITH COMMUNITY IMPACT
Lebopo Bulayani, Nanzelela Chaitezvi and Kebadile Wasenda
MEDIA WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Poppy Sello, Keikantse Shumba and Kedi Lezozo
FAVOURITE PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Marang Selolwane, Palesa Molefe and Masi Sithole
BEST WOMAN IN LEADERSHIP
Naseem Lahri, Neo Bogatsu and Lily Rakorong