20 Jun 2019

Thirty-two-year-old Serowe-born aspiring music promoter, Rosinah Makgoeng is finalising plans to bring to life the rich historical background of her beloved home village in a cultural music festival dubbed, Serowe My Motherland.

Penciled for the last weekend of Botswana’s independence month September, Makgoeng explained that the concept was borne out of the fact that Serowe played an instrumental role in the socio-economic development and independence of modern day Botswana.

“As a young person and also a residence of Serowe I think it was worth reflecting and celebrating on the amazing historical records that are documented about Serowe and its natives both on the political and social leadership,” she added.

Makgoeng noted that the concept would include a documentary about the village of Serowe from its roots from old Palapye up to independence.

She said they were planning to engage in a massive clean-up campaign.

Makgoeng said as a token of appreciation to those who built up their village profile, they were planning to award certificates to deserving members of the community and even posthumously.

“We are planning to sell our village even beyond our borders.

It always warms the heart to see South Africans proud about the legacy of their own. We want to be inspired by that passion and sell our own too,” she said.

Serowe is home to Botswana iconic founding president Sir Seretse Khama.

She said they were planning to erect a massive billboard in his honour, which would be visible upon entering the village.

She said they had already identified some popular local acts that would be given a chance to shine at the music festival, which would form part of the festivities.

She said the music and cultural exchange show would undoubtedly make a mark in the local cultural entertainment calendar.

Patrons would be treated to a cream of the local musicians and a supporting act from across the shores. Events of the day would also include a family fun day and a car spinning spectacle.

It would clearly be interesting to see how the one-day event would manage to compress and explore the Bagammangwato’s rich cultural heritage.

Without any shadow of doubt events that took place in Serowe deserves the recognition that the likes of Makgoeng harbor to unfold.

The Khama III Memorial Museum has a recollection of all the memorable events that unfolded in the village.

A bulk of interesting sights is noticeable at Thataganyane like the Old Mission station, which is just a stone throw away from the museum.

Thataganyane are remains of an early settlement dating back to the 11th century and the premises of the London Missionary Society could be traced back to 1902 when Bangwato relocated from Old Palapye.

It was in Serowe where the country’s greatest statesman Khama III settled with his people in 1902, he died and was buried there in 1923 and was succeeded by his son Sekgoma II, Seretse’s father.

It was in Serowe that a decade after the burial of Sekgoma II British Marines were sent from Cape Town to oust the reigning Bangwato Kgosi Tshekedi because he had sentenced and flogged a white man at the Serowe Kgotla. ENDS