The Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture Hon. Tumiso Rakgare yester-night received the UNESCO delegation to Botswana, the team from the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) from Kasane following their fact finding mission to assess the feasibility of Botswana to adequately host the Inter-Governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage 18.COM as commonly referred to.
Botswana has been accorded the opportunity to host the memorable 18th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage later this year in Kasane from December 4th β 10th following her participation at the 17th session that was held in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco.
Speaking at the event, Minister Rakgare stressed that Botswana continues to commit resources to support the implementation of the ICH convention at both local and international levels. He stated that this has been demonstrated by serving as a committee member of the ICH (2020 – 2024).
The Minister accentuated that Botswana is ready to welcome the ICH community and have them experience the best of Botswanaβs tourism, culture and creative experiences the country has to offer, Kasane in particular. He further appreciated the international assistance of USD 94, 447 extended to Botswana from the ICH Fund towards the project on Sustaining Seperu folk dance and associated practices that will support the implementation of the elementβs safeguarding plan.
The team was accompanied by the Botswana Ambassador to France and Permanent delegate to UNESCO, His Excellency Mustaq Moorad who appreciated the Minister for his leadership at the 17.COM at Morocco. He further said that Botswana is hoping to host at least 150 countries in the 18.COM in December.
