Selebi-Phikwe, Botswana — Cresta Hotels has announced the return of the Cresta Bosele Annual Cultural and Food Festival, scheduled for Saturday, 30th August 2025, starting at 17:00hrs and continuing late into the evening. This year’s event embraces the theme “Ngwao Maruping, Go a Boelwa”, a call for an appreciation of our roots and a heartfelt celebration of Botswana’s rich cultural heritage through music, cuisine, and communal spirit.
The festival will feature the first-ever “Battle of Dikhwaere”, a groundbreaking competition uniting traditional choir groups from Selebi-Phikwe and surrounding areas. This showcase is designed to highlight the captivating harmonies, creativity and stern rivalry embedded in Botswana’s choir traditions. Competing groups will vie for the prestigious 2025 Cresta Bosele Battle of Dikhwaere Trophy and cash prizes comprising of P3,000 for the winner, with P1,200 and P800 for second and third places respectively. Cresta Bosele invites all Dikhwaere groups in the region to register and take part in this historic cultural event.
Following the competition, the festival continues with live cultural music performances featuring Botswana’s beloved Cultural Spears, the dynamic Mahempe, and the energetic Tumza — all artists selected by public vote on the Cresta Bosele social media platforms to headline this year’s celebrations. Local MC Mr Hippo will host the evening, ensuring a vibrant atmosphere filled with music, dance, and cultural storytelling. Traditional Setswana cuisine will be served, offering guests a true taste of local flavours, alongside cultural games and activities that immerse attendees in Botswana’s cultural tapestry.
Tickets are available for P250 per adult and P125 per child, with a cooler box fee of P50, and guests are encouraged to bring camp chairs for comfort. Guests are encouraged to attend dressed in traditional attire with a special prize awaiting the best dressed attendees, as families, friends, and corporate groups experience Botswana’s rich culture and engage meaningfully with their communities in a lively, welcoming environment.
In alignment with Cresta Hotels’ commitment to community upliftment, the festival lead-up includes a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative focused on contruting to education development in Selebi-Phikwe. In collaboration with primary schools in Selibe-Phikwe, an essay competition open to all Standard 7 students has been launched, inviting submissions from the students on the festival’s theme “Ngwao Maruping, Go a Boelwa – The Importance of Culture and Tradition in Botswana.” Open until July 29th 2025, the school of the winning student will get to receive, from part of the event proceds, exam preparatory materials to assist with PSLE exam preparations later this year.
Head of Marketing and Communications for Cresta Marakanelo Limited, Lorato Tebogo noted that the Cresta Bosele Culture and Food Festival is a unique platform to celebrate Botswana’s vibrant heritage while fostering community pride. “Our theme this year, ‘Ngwao Maruping, Go a Boelwa,’ is central to everything we will be offering, from the music and entertainment, to the traditional food, activities and fashion. Through our ‘See Botswana Differently’ campaign, we invite everyone to experience the depth and beauty of our culture in an authentic and joyful setting.”
For his part General Manager of Cresta Bosele Hotel Ferdinand Sebinyane added that
the highlight of the event would be the much-anticipated “Battle of Dikhwaere”, billed to be a treasured annual tradition going forward.
“The Cresta Bosele Cultural and Food Festival 2025 promises an unforgettable night of culture, connection, and celebration — whether you’re participating in the historic Battle of Dikhwaere, enjoying the vibrant performances, savoring traditional cuisine, or proudly showcasing your traditional attire,” concluded Sebinyane.
