adminBongani Ndlovu Chronicle Correspondent
The Botswana ambassador to Zimbabwe Kenny Kapinga has said the two countries have unbreakable ties due to the socio-economic development Zimbabweans have contributed to his country over the years. Speaking at a Botswana Cultural Dinner at the Large City Hall on Wednesday, Ambassador Kapinga said Botswana partly owed its development to Zimbabweans working in that country.
“Our socio-economic development as Botswana isn’t sustainable without the contribution of Zimbabweans in our country.
“There’re many Zimbabweans who are working in my country especially in the education sector so we want to improve and grow our economies and culture,” he said.
The dinner, organised by the Bulawayo City Council and the Botswana embassy, was also attended by the Minister of State for Bulawayo Metropolitan province, Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo and deputy mayor councillor Gift Banda. Ambassador Kapinga was full of praise for Zimbabwe’s education system.
He described it as of a high standard and said he looked forward to more Botswana students studying in the country.
“I’m committed to the increase in Botswana students studying in Zimbabwe like before. We’ve sent students to other universities but they come back with uncouth behaviour like taking drugs among other things. We view Zimbabwe as a better environment to raise our children when they’re learning,” he said.
Ambassador Kapinga said Zimbabwe and Botswana had deep cultural ties as there were people of the same ethnic tribes living in both countries.
“There’re people who have lived in Zimbabwe for many years whose origins are traced back to Botswana.
“There’re close relations between Bulawayo and Matabeleland provinces, with the Basutho, found in Gwanda, the Ndebele who are found in Botswana and the Kalanga who are found in the northern part of my country,” he said.
Ambassador Kapinga said the cultural dinner was a way to reinvigorate relations between both countries and drum up support for Botswana’s 50 years of independence.
“The dinner is in three fold. Firstly it’s to showcase the cultures of both nations that’s why we’ve Zimbabwe’s own Iluba Lemvelo and Botswana’s Matusa Mao. Secondly, it’s to build publicity on our 50 years independence celebrations as a country next year on September 30. Thirdly it’s to promote cultural cooperation between both countries through performances,” he said.
During the dinner Iluba Lemvelo took to the stage and danced isitshikitsha and ihosanna a rain-making dance from the Matabeleland South province for guests.
Botswana’s Matusa Mao did three dances namely setapa and phithisi both celebratory dances and tsutsube which is a healing dance.
Online Reporter