BY NELIWE NGUBANE(INTERN)
BOTSWANA – What started as a cultural exchange programme became a transformative journey for Eswatini creative Ace Julz, who has returned from Botswana inspired to play a greater role in preserving indigenous heritage and cultural identity across Southern Africa.
The MTN Bushfire Firefly winner recently participated in the Entanglement Workshops, an initiative that brought together artists, cultural practitioners and heritage advocates from across the region to explore ways of safeguarding indigenous knowledge for future generations.
The workshops formed part of the Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture programme under the Southern Africa component, implemented by the Goethe-Institut and funded by the European Union. Participants from Eswatini, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa gathered to exchange ideas, cultural narratives and traditional knowledge systems.
Reflecting on the experience, Ace Julz described the programme as life-changing, saying it broadened his understanding of cultural preservation and the importance of documenting indigenous stories.
“The more I learn, the more I realise how much I do not know,” he said.
Throughout the workshops, participants examined shared cultural practices that continue to unite communities across Southern Africa. Discussions focused on concepts such as ubuntu, sacred mountains, traditional attire, lobola and other customs that have been passed down through generations.
A major theme of the programme was the need to document cultural history rather than relying solely on oral traditions. Participants noted that while oral storytelling remains valuable, some knowledge risks being lost or altered over time if it is not properly preserved.
Ace Julz stressed that young people have an important role to play in ensuring that authentic cultural stories survive. He encouraged youth to engage with elders, learn about their roots and become active custodians of indigenous knowledge.
Beyond the educational aspect, the workshops also created opportunities for networking and collaboration among creatives from different countries.
“It gave me a chance to connect with other cultural practitioners and continue telling our story,” he said.
The artist added that the experience reaffirmed that international opportunities are within reach for local creatives who remain dedicated to their craft and believe in their potential.
While he remained tight-lipped about future projects, Ace Julz hinted that the Botswana experience has already opened doors to additional opportunities that he hopes to reveal in due course.
For now, the creative returns home with a renewed mission: to ensure that Southern Africa’s rich cultural heritage continues to be celebrated, documented and passed on to future generations.
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