Chuck Norris to film in Botswana
WeekendLife
Another Hollywood superstar will feature in yet another film shot right in our backyard. Martial arts superstar, Chuck Norris will join a select few Hollywood stars to experience Botswana and add to the small film industry.
Norris, who is not only an actor but a film producer, screenwriter and martial arts pro, will star in Blood Brothers, an anti-poaching film set in Botswana and written and produced by Sebati Edward Mafate. Blood Brothers will uncover the war between the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) and poachers. Being an independent film, Norris and other Hollywood actors will play a few roles and most of the roles will be dominated by Batswana according to the producers of the film.
The California based Mafate was born in Zambia but raised in Botswana and South Africa and is well known for the film, Black Cobra (2012) which was directed by Scott Donovan and Lilly Melgar. Black Cobra film is the story of one man who travels across country, smuggling illegal black diamonds to sell in order to pay for his father's pardon in South Africa. When he arrives in the United States to finalize what appeared to be a simple transaction he is soon double-crossed and becomes caught up in a contraband forcing him to overcome an opponent far more lethal and deadlier than he has ever met.
Co- producers of Blood Brothers, who will also feature in prominent roles in the film, Ricardo Mokwena and Imani Seboni confirmed that even though it was difficult to agree with the 76 year old Norris, he finally agreed to film in Botswana. The film will be directed by Undisputed Director Isaac Florentine. Florentine is an Israeli-born film director. He is best known for his martial arts and action genre films, namely Undisputed II: Last Man Standing (2006), Undisputed III: Redemption (2010), Ninja (2009), Ninja: Shadow of a Tear (2013) and Close Range (2015) and for launching the career of British actor Scott Adkins.
The producers could not tell the exact date of the commencement of the production but said they have proposed for some extra funding of the project from the government. They promised that unlike other Hollywood films that have been shot before theirs is different, as it will give more Batswana leading roles. “This is more like taking Botswana to Hollywood not the other way round,” said Mokwena.
In 2006 Anthony Minghella directed the first Hollywood film in Botswana, The number 1 Ladies Detective Agency better known as Mma Ramotswe starring American actress Jill Scott. The nation is waiting again in anticipation after Amma Asante pulled yet another Hollywood affair in the film titled United Kingdom, starring American actors David Oyelowo and Rosemund Pike.
Asante’s A United Kingdom is an epic true story of the sweeping interracial love that shook the British establishment which will be produced by German- born American Producer, Rick McCallum of Star Wars. Norris has starred in such action films as Return of the Dragon and Missing in Action. He also starred on the hit TV series Walker, Texas Ranger.
He made more of an impact on movie-goers in 1972's Way of the Dragon (also known as Return of the Dragon in the United States). One of the highlights of the film was a fight scene between Norris and martial arts action star Bruce Lee, staged in the famed Roman Colosseum. In 1977, Norris had his first starring role in the action film Breaker! Breaker!
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Creatives taking over 2023
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They love concept-driven designs, storytelling and they bring fresh ideas and new perspectives that will leave footprints in the sand. Post the COVID-19 pandemic, these creative minds utilized the drawing board and they became cognizant that monetizing content will actually take them far, which is frank nonetheless.
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KOKETSO MOTSWAGOLE
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His social media accounts got deleted but through his online store, KM Sales, Motswagole is able to rake in some profits. He initially started selling from his car but now owns a busy store and has employed a number of young people.
KM Sales has been offering fashionable items (shoes, t-shirts, pants) and has been participating in various lifestyle events such as Garden of Drip where it showcases its products.
If there is one young entrepreneur to draw motivation from is Koketso. The business started from humble beginnings, at the time when he worked part time at Ipelegeng as a casual labor. Indeed, good things come to those who wait, or well, work like a slave today, live like a king tomorrow.
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This year saw her partnership with Shell reach greater heights, and obviously, she is raking lot of pulas from the deal. Kagiso has been making frequent appearances in top events in South Africa such as Bubbles in Spring and Gold and Diamond Experience.
GAONA DINTWE
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