On Friday, Wilderness Botswana brought together staff, stakeholders, and other dignitaries to celebrate the company’s annual Heritage Day showcasing beautiful cultures and pay tribute to amazing diversity.
Each year, on the last Friday of August, Wilderness Botswana celebrates Heritage Day, recognising culture groups, of which some of them are represented in the company staff complement. Across the seven countries, and in the regional offices, staff members dress in traditional clothing and delicious food from all ethnicities is served. Guests visiting the camps during this time join in the festivities.
The celebration which was held at Wilderness offices in Maun was graced among other dignitaries, OWS caretaker Managing Director, North West District deputy commissioner, Gaborekwe Ramogapi, Batawana Senior Chief representative Oleyo Ledimo, North West District Council and Tawana Land Board officials, the media and different other stakeholders.
Matome emphasised that as Wilderness, they are proud to be hosting this event annually to celebrate the cultural diversity of the different people they encounter.
“We believe that culture is very important. Recognition and support for each other’s different cultural aspects is what makes us stronger as a unit, people and an organisation,” the Managing Director said in an interview with The Weekender.
Following the official opening, the event proceeded to a late lunch with attendees indulging in different cultural cuisine which included, seswaa, bogobe jwa lerotse, morogo wa dinawa, setampa (pounded beef and goat meat, melon porridge, cooked and dried beans/cowpea leaves and samp).
They were later treated to refreshments with diverse beverages while also enjoying musical performances by Wilderness choir, and non-other than the legendary folklore musician, Stiga Sola. The performers both delivered stelar and electrifying performances that got the attendees on the dance floor – singing along their favorite songs.
The event also featured competitions for the best dressed, poetry, choir and skipping rope with winners walking away with different prize monies.
The company’s MD also took the opportunity to announce a project they will be undertaking in collaboration with Batawana Tribal Authority, where they will be renovating and rebuilding the royal graveside situated at the main Kgotla.
“The main idea behind this initiative is for our guests to be able to go visit the area and also circuit around Maun to learn about the culture, people and traditions of this region. This is part of cultural tourism that we want people to experience,” concluded Matome.
