By Libuseng Nyaka
QWAQWA – The Basotho Cultural Village was a hive of activity on August 3 as hordes of people converged to usher in the Basotho New Year attendants, and it proved to be a unique mix of culture, splendor, glitz and glamour.
In embracing Basotho culture, merrymakers were clad in different patterns of Seshoeshoe attires and blankets as they lived up to their tag of Basotho Maaparakobo’ (loosely translated Basotho are blankets wearers.
However, it was MEC of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation Ntombizanela Sifuba accompanied by her fellow Health MEC Monyatso Mahlatsi who stole the show as they entered the village in style, perched in horse carts flanked by an escort of men on horseback.
Arriving at the village during commemoration of Basotho New Year department of sport ,arts, culture, and recreation, MEC Ntombizanela Sifuba was accompanied by Health MEC Monyatso Mahlatsi.
They too were dressed for the occasion: Sifuba in her Seshoeshoe dress and a blanket, and Mahlatsi in a blanket and Basotho hat.
The celebration was dominated by Basotho dance and music, especially mokhibo dance as well as mohobelo.
In typical Basotho fashion, guests in the main marquee were treated to a breakfast of dipabi and motoho.
Programme director Palo Mokoailana had the audience in stitches as he feigned reluctance to call the executive mayor of Maluti-a-Phofung, by her first name only said her surname Melato.
“I am not allowed to call this name Malekula; remember we are not supposed to call people by their ethnicity,” he bantered.
Not to be outdone, the mayor stated that she was indeed Malekula Melato but that did not mean she is Indian.
“I was given this name by my parents. I am a Mosotho. I welcome you all and hope you experience the safety and warmth of our people as we celebrate this new year.”
Despite not being a Sesotho speaker, Sifuba read her entire speech written in Sesotho as she promised to preserve heritage and indigenous languages spoken in the Free State.
“Sesotho is most widely spoken language in our province, according to Sats SA. We will continue to celebrate our Sesotho authors like Dr DKP Maphalla, Thomas Mofolo as well as supporting the Basotho museum.”
Sharing the history of Basotho as the nation marks 200 years of their founding by Morena Moshoeshoe 1, historian Mamothibeli Sehlabo emphasized the importance of celebrating the event which also coincides with commemoration of Women’s Month and Basotho 200 years of existence.
Giving vote of thanks Thabo Mofutsanyana district municipality Conny Msibi praised the audience for understanding the theme and embracing Basotho tradition with their regalia.
“Let us clap hands for ourselves, you are so beautiful. In conclusion I want to thank everybody for coming here. This commemoration of the Basotho new year and commemoration of 200 years is held at the right place in Maluti-a-Phofung in the Thabo Mofutsanyana district municipality. MEC in her address highlighted that the majority of Basotho live in the eastern Free State. I am happy that this event was celebrated peacefully as planned”.
