The second edition of the Folkloric Arts Festival was held in Thaba Nchu, Free State, on March 21 and 22.
Organized by the Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture, and Recreation, this year’s festival featured heavyweight performers such as MaAusi from North West, Sesotho sensation Thabang Nkuka, Dikakapa tsa Fouriesburg, and the popular legendary group from Botswana, Culture Spears.
Culture Spears took to the stage with remarkable energy and delivered a captivating performance that had the audience begging for more and singing along. The group, known for their hit songs like “Kulenyane,” “Nchadinyana,” “Borikiriki,” and “Khudu,” did not disappoint and performed with great passion.
Lead singer Kabelo Mogwe, also known as Kulenyane, transported the audience down memory lane with “Kulenyane,” a song that went viral upon its release in 2006 and remains a fan favorite. The audience thoroughly enjoyed Culture Spears’ performance as they sang, danced, and celebrated alongside the group.
A highlight of the show was seeing Thembeni Ramosetlheng, also known as Ramozara, perform the iconic song “Borikiriki.” Ramozara, one of the original founding members of the group, performed with newer members added to the group to keep the legacy alive.
During his performance of “Borikiriki,” Ramozara paused to explain some parts of the song, ensuring that the audience understood the meanings behind certain words that may have different connotations in Botswana compared to South Africa. His efforts were well-received, and the audience showed their appreciation for this timeless classic.
Kabelo made the day even more memorable for local groups performing at the festival by inviting them to showcase their Setswana traditional dance moves, giving them a platform to demonstrate their talent.
Culture Spears performed nearly all their hit songs, including “Dibeisane,” which features MaAusi, the headliner for the festival’s first day. They proved that class and talent are everlasting and emphasized the importance of appreciating and promoting culture.
Culture Spears expressed gratitude to the Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture, and Recreation for the invitation to perform in Thaba Nchu at this two-day festival aimed at promoting arts and culture in the region, showcasing various Free State traditional groups.
Not only did the audience sing along to their favorite songs, but they also had the rare opportunity to take pictures with Culture Spears. The group members were humble and delighted their fans by posing for photos.
Culture Spears’ performance in Free State inspired local traditional groups to persevere in celebrating their culture and to continue prioritizing traditional music.
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