Tapyowa NG32 Experience, an annual event that promotes local tourism and celebrate the culture of five villages served by Okavango Kopano Mokoro Community Trust (OKMCT) went well this past weekend despite previous threats made by a section of the community to disrupt it.
Identifying themselves as a concerned group, they complained that the event does not bring tangible benefits to the community and attempted to have it be cancelled. The group wanted for the funds meant for the event to instead be directed towards pressing community needs such as improving the provision of water in the five villages of Boro, Xharaxao, Xuoxao, Daunara, and Xaxaba.
After threatening to disrupt the event and ensure that it does not forge ahead, Tapyowa however went smoothly without any signs of distraction during the entire weekend, this to the excitement of both organisers and attendees.
The third edition, without a disappointment brought together different communities from the Okavango Delta through music, dance, food and mokoro competitions. It attracted alarge number of people including villagers, supporters, dignitaries, and various organisations who flocked Xaxaba village.
While majority of people arrived on Friday some also came on Saturday during the main day of the event. The program began that day with an opening ceremony followed by much anticipated traditional dugout canoe/mokoro races which pitted villagers against each other.
The competitions comprised of both female and male categories in the 100m, 200, 400m and 800m races. To add to the fun there was also the 100m and 400m races for veterans of both genders, with all participants walking away with varying prize monies.
The event proceeded later at night with an extravaganza of a cultural showcase featuring legendary Stiga Sola, Shigjakao Cultural Group, Koolkat Motyiko of Ko Seronga fame, and Ditsuatsue Traditional Group among other local performers. Throughout the night going into the early mornings of Sunday, the audience was treated to a stellar and electrifying performance as no one wanted to leave the mesmerizing festival.
Beside the music, dance and mokoro competitions showcased, revellers were also treated to other different cultural activities and also had the opportunity to indulge in traditional cuisine and beverages. These included seswaa, bogobe jwa lerotse, morogo wa dinawa, setampa, Motjema and khadi (pounded beef and goat meat, melon porridge, cooked and dried beans/cowpea leaves, samp and palm wine).
OKCMT General Manager, Seikaneng Moepedi emphasized that the main purpose of this local tourism product is to attract tourists to come and experience the beauty of the famous Okavango Delta instead of going to other tourism attraction sites abroad. “The exciting part about this event is that we use different modes of transport to arrive here including vehicles, helicopters and speed boats, “Moepedi noted.
He said vehicles getting stuck and crossing rivers along the way and people hearing the deep and menacing growls of African buffaloes as well as the roaring of lions at night is the safari experience, they want people to be excited about when thinking about the Tapyowa NG32 Experience.
North West District Commissioner, Thabang Waloka, also reiterated the event’s potential to diversify the country’s tourism product while also generating income and subsequently improving the livelihoods of communities in NG32.
