Cultural Sustainability through Music Education in Botswana

Preserving Culture and Tradition in the Village of Tutume, Botswana amidst Western and Colonial Influences

Abigail Zuber

In 1971, Caudill Rowlett Scott (CRS) Architects was commissioned by the African- American Institute on behalf of the Neil A. McConnell Foundation to review the development plans for the Tutume Secondary School- Community College in the Republic of Botswana. The basic planning documents consisted of a Master Site Plan prepared for the Ministry of Education by Ministry of Works and Communications, a series of architectural plans for various proposed buildings and an educational program with its resultant space requirements.

the Republic of Botswana is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. it was previously known as the British protectorate Bechuanaland, gaining independence within the commonwealth on September 30, 1966. It is currently Africa’s oldest continuous democracy. Topographically, Botswana is fairly flat and sparsely populated with the Kalahari Desert comprising 70% of its territory. the current population is 2.3 million, with 10% of the population alone living in Gaborone, its capital city. Botswana boasts one of the world's fastest growing economies- with its GDP expanding from about US $30.41M in 1960 to $18.62B USD in 2018. Botswana's main economic drivers are mining, agriculture, cattle, and tourism.

Many traditional styles of music in Botswana are performed with dances and features a call-and-response vocal style with a clapping rhythm. This is celebratory dance is the Setapa, performed by Umkhathi Theater Works at BAM Howard Gilman Opera House in 2014 with Artistic Director Matesu Dube.

Master KG - Jerusalema [Feat. Nomcebo] is an example of modern house and Kwaito Music. This song is widely recognized and popular with over 100M views on Youtube. Master Kg is one of the most decorated musicians of his generation as a recipient of the coveted continental and African diaspora Afrima 2018 Award for Best Electro and Dance as well as other awards. This song also features the multitalented vocalist Nomcebo Zikode who is known for other songs "Emazulwini" and "Imizame Yami".

Source: "Music Education in Junior Secondary Schools in Botswana: The Way Forward" by Alfred Bakang Segosmoto

Source: "Music as Inspiration for Architectural Form" by Viola Langat

In 1971, Caudill Rowlett Scott (CRS) Architects was commissioned by the African- American Institute on behalf of the Neil A. McConnell Foundation to review the development plans for the Tutume Secondary School- Community College in the Republic of Botswana. The basic planning documents consisted of a Master Site Plan prepared for the Ministry of Education by Ministry of Works and Communications, a series of architectural plans for various proposed buildings and an educational program with its resultant space requirements.

the Republic of Botswana is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. it was previously known as the British protectorate Bechuanaland, gaining independence within the commonwealth on September 30, 1966. It is currently Africa’s oldest continuous democracy. Topographically, Botswana is fairly flat and sparsely populated with the Kalahari Desert comprising 70% of its territory. the current population is 2.3 million, with 10% of the population alone living in Gaborone, its capital city. Botswana boasts one of the world's fastest growing economies- with its GDP expanding from about US $30.41M in 1960 to $18.62B USD in 2018. Botswana's main economic drivers are mining, agriculture, cattle, and tourism.

Source: "Music Education in Junior Secondary Schools in Botswana: The Way Forward" by Alfred Bakang Segosmoto

Source: "Music as Inspiration for Architectural Form" by Viola Langat