CULTURE AND HERITAGE THROUGH-OUT THE NORTH WEST PROVINCE

The culture of the people of the North West is to be found in every aspect of their daily lives - in the beadwork, the pottery, the houses and the music and song. The people of the North West are predominantly BaTswana in origin and their language is seTswana. They can trace their origins for many centuries through a turbulent history of war and migration across the plains and valleys of the province to the borders of the Kalahari. Other groups touching on the North West are the Ndebele in the east and the Sotho to the south.

Today there is a new awakening and commitment to move forward into the new South Africa and nowhere is the desire for education and advancement more evident. Artists in every field, whether the fine arts or through music and jazz are beginning to emerge and excel.

The government of the North West is committed to assisting in the upliftment of the people through joint venture projects and the provision of facilities. Tourism is no exception with the emergence of dynamic entrepreneurs in every field.

The North West has some of the finest choirs in South Africa and any opportunity to attend a choral concert should be taken. Cultural villages, such as that at Lesedi, have daily shows depicting the cultures and dances of many of the people of South Africa.

The Mmabana Cultural Centres, located at Taung, Mafikeng, Lehurutshe, Klerksdorp and Thlabane are important centres of learning where individuals can gain skills in a wide range of arts. Music tuition at these centres is often the only opportunity that aspiring musicians have to learn and express their talents. A short distance south of Mafikeng is the Lotlamoreng Dam Cultural Reserve which is presently being renovated. A band and dance group operate from this facility.

At Stilfontein is the Golden Village project, where craftspeople are producing excellent work for sale to visitors. The same centre sponsors a dance group of very talented young people.

Exquisite beadwork and pottery is available in craft shops and roadside stalls. Artistic expression is becoming increasingly evident in communities throughout the North West where artists now combine their talents to provide for an ever growing tourism market.

The work of the early writer Sol Plaatje characterizes such a spirit of endeavour. Plaatje was educated to Standard three level (five years of schooling) at a mission station near Barkly West. He became fluent in English, Dutch and German, along with numerous African languages and translated several Shakespeare works into SeTswana. After serving as a court interpreter in Mafikeng (before and during the siege) he founded a newspaper through which to express the aspirations of his people. He became the first Secretary General of the South African Native National Congress (SANNC); the forerunner to the African National Congress (ANC).