Kutlo Motseta
18th October 2026
‘Gamaila Sports and Cultural Festival’ will launch its inaugural event at the Grand Palm, Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC) on Saturday, 31st October.
The festival will showcase the diverse cultures in the Ngwaketse region, especially the indigenous tribe, the angwaketse people. The event will be anchored by music performers and artists. Various sports games will be played which will be headlined by the Kanye United soccer under 17 side.
The purpose of the event is to raise funds for the development of under 17 team.
“We are sports people, this [initiative] came after Kanye United was promoted to the first division league … [we decided] let’s fundraise for the Kanye team. So, the proceeds will be donated to the Kanye team … [the team has] been running for 15 years … players are growing so we decided we should get prepared for the future,” said one of the event organizers, Monaka Monaka.
The main sponsor for the event is Kgalagadi Breweries Limited (KBL), whilst Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) is a co-sponsor. Amongst the musicians and artists scheduled to perform include: Cultural Spears, Dikakapa, DJ Mawear and Tsankang (traditional). The choirs include Senyetse, Vultures, Makgoma and Dinare.
According to Monaka, the Ngwaketse region, which is primarily inhabited by Bangwaketse and is led by its Paramount Chief, Kgosi Malope II, hosts other tribes that have been accommodated there. These tribes include bangwato, bakgatla bamosele, batswapong and bahurutse whose indigenous districts are spread across Botswana.
These residents will also discuss their experiences as members of the communities of Ngwaketse, as the various cultures of the communities are celebrated, especially that of the Ngwaketse tribe. The hosting paramount Chief, Kgosi Malope II, will attend the event.
The event will be at ‘Hampton Inn Gardens’, which is 500m from the original venue, Mmakgodumo Gardens and will be held annually.
“We will start at 8am on the 31st October and resume the following day, which will be the last day,” said Monaka.
Tickets can be purchased at the following Choppies stores: Kanye Liqourama, Kanye 2, TlokwengGreater, Railpark Mall, Lobatse Rank, Molepoplole, Choppies Kanye 1, Choppies Mogoditshane, Choppies Village. Other tickets can be purchased from Jwaneng Liquorama, Lobatse Liquorama, Moshupa Liquorama, Puma Mahube, Lagoon Bar and Grill, the Library Bar, Gozone Mongala Mall, Shell Mall, Cothee Sports Bar.
