The MEC for Sport, Arts, and Culture, Ms. Desery Fienies, is scheduled to unveil a tombstone memorial in honour of the late Mr. Motlhwahatse “Laaities” Keupilwe on Saturday, October 21, 2023. The memorial unveiling will take place at Keupilwe’s homestead at 1332 Itsoseng Street, Nanana Section, Batlharos. The unveiling of the tombstone is to honour a cultural and language activist who contributed immensely towards the development and preservation of the Setswana Culture.
Like in most communities around the world, our intangible Cultural Heritage provides communities, groups and individuals with a sense of identity and sustainability and is mostly transmitted orally from one generation to another. Laaities has contributed to the arts sector through his love for Setswana language. Through his traditional song and dance he united communities across the country, which made him an outstanding orator and legend in the true form of the word.
Not only has Laaities influenced the music scene but he was an important role player in fostering social cohesion, cultural diversity and the spirit of ubuntu in our country’s diverse society. It is often the case that many expressions and components of Cultural Heritage are under constant threat of disappearing due to urbanization, cultural homogenization and a lack of documentation. However Laaities played a pivotal role in the preservation of culture and heritage.
He was also an outstanding poet and Setswana traditional musician who had the following awards under his belt:
His achievements are as follows:
- The first Setswana artist to receive the South African Traditional Music Award (SATMA for the Best Setswana Album was in September 2007.
- SATMA Best Traditional Dance Group Award in 2009
- SATMA Best Video Award in 2010
- SATMA Best Traditional Dance Group Award in 2011
- SATMA Best Setswana Album Award in 2015
- He was honoured with a Setswana Legend Award at the SATMA's on December 5, 2020.
Motlhwaahatse “Laaities” Dannie Keupilwe was also a praise singer and had the privilege to recite poems praising former presidents like Mr. Thabo Mbeki and former Bophutatswana President Kgosi Lucas Mangope, amongst others.
Members of the media are invited to kindly provide coverage for the unveiling ceremony where the MEC for Sport ,Arts and Culture Ms Desery Fienies will be accompanied by the leadership of John Taolo Gaetsewe District and Keupilwe family , friends and community members.
DETAILS
Date: Saturday, October 21, 2023.
Time: 06:00
Venue: Keupilwe’s Homestead, Number 1332 Itsoseng Street,
Nanana Section, Batlharos.
Keynote Address: MEC for Sport, Arts, and Culture, Ms. Desery Fienies
-End-
For media inquiries:
Mr. Morapedi Sekhoane, Head of Communications, 078 944 0200, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mr. Conrad Fortune | Media Liaison Officer | 079 873 0679 | Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ISSUED BY THE NORTHERN CAPE DEPARTMENT OF SPORT, ARTS, AND CULTURE
