Lecoge’s thrilling monologue
WeekendLife
THE YOUNG AND THE OLD: Lecoge, the stage actress and director of the renowned “A woman of many firsts-the life of Dr. G Chiepe”, poses with her icon
Moduduetso Lecoge, the stage actress and director of the renowned “A woman of many firsts-the life of Dr. G Chiepe”, has said that doing the play showed her just how much resilience she has, announcing that she will soon take on another prominent Motswana woman’s life to the stage.
While she was cagey to reveal the next mystery of a “prominent Motswana woman”, whose life she will act out, Lecoge was happy to share what the A woman of Many Firsts, the play about her grandmother’s life, had impacted on her as an actress.
“I had to be on stage alone for 40 minutes. That requires a lot of focus and stamina. It was tough because I have never had to do that before but I managed to pull it off,” she told Weekend Life.
The play, staged at Maitisong last month, has been described by theatre enthusiasts as having broken the norm that ‘monologues are boring’.
People not privy to her acting prowess, would be forgiven to dismiss her along with the play, too, perhaps on the premise that she was taking advantage of being Dr. Chiepe’s grand-daughter. She, however, believes she was the right person to tell her grandmother’s story well.
“She is advancing in age, so she did not see what the fuss was about, and I do not think she would have opened up to anyone else the way she did with me. Plus, I have more than two decades worth of stories about her,” Lecoge stated with the confidence of one who knows her subject well.
From the beginning, the playwright had wanted people to take away the fact that a play staged by one person can be filled with an amalgamation of emotions, something she has so far achieved.
“The actress was quite animated in her work, she was really into evoking some emotion out of all of us and, as a matter of fact, she did just that,” a blogger wrote in her review of the play. “Personally, I took the play as one of my favourites of its kind. I think that the production team actually deserves applause for dramatizing history in such an enjoyable manner.”
Lecoge got standing ovations on all the three shows, which were all well attended.
The subject of the play, Dr. Chiepe herself, also weighed in and encouraged the actress.
“She is extremely proud and was blown away. She liked the play so much she watched the show twice,” said Lecoge. “Many of my family members, her included, did not understand why I wanted to study theatre, but she now says she sees that it has paid off, and that it is my calling and God-given talent.”
While she concedes that one man/woman plays are relatively new to Batswana, Lecoge said that she believes Batswana are more receptive to theatre than generally believed and that the appreciation for it has grown. “However, more support needs to be given to the arts,” she added.
Lecoge does not believe that women have it hard in theatre, particularly because of places like The Company@Maitisong and Folk Tale Theatre Company, which she said continue to give women like her and others the platform to showcase their skill.
The actress further revealed that since taking that first step to stage a solo performance, she is more and more determined to put more of her work out.
“I have finally found the courage and confidence to do solo projects. It is a lot more difficult but worth it,” she said.“I also want to be able to tell more African stories about unsung heroes. Recently, I joined Folk Tale Theatre Company and that is our mandate.”
Stage theatre, she said, has grown a lot in recent years.
“What makes me happy is the fact that more thespians are doing their own work. There is unbelievable talent here and more people are unleashing their potential.”
Lecoge is a third year Visual and Performing Arts student at the University of Botswana. She has been acting professionaly since 2014, when she acted in the Maitisong Festival headliner “Blue, Black and White”. She has also acted in “Pula:Money Matters” as well as in “Phemelo”, which was staged at the 2015 Letlhafula Festival, Madi Majwana, earlier this year as well as the Madi Majwana radio drama.
At the beginning of 2016, she joined Folk Tale Theatre Company as the fourth member. She has also been involved in other theatre productions at Maitisong, notably as Assistant Director for “Basadi ba ga Shakespeare” (part of the “Shakespeare o a Tshela” project).
WeekendLife
BOTSWANA TO HOST MISS WORLD 2026
Even though Botswana has over the years been performing extremely poorly at the Miss World competition, the country has confirmed that it will be hosting the beauty festival in 2026. Initially, the country was to host Miss World next year, something it failed to confirm before deadline. Director at Miss Botswana, Benjamin Raletsatsi, says Botswana will be ready then to host all participants. Miss Botswana Top 25 finalists left the boot camp yesterday. Quite shocking though, Miss Botswana team is still failing basics as responding to media inquiries on time yet it is dangerously hoping to host an event of high status
WeekendLife
DJ Sway ‘saved’ the YAMAs
DJ Sway, the daring and ambitious on-air presenter of Yarona FM, played a crucial role in saving the radio station’s music awards, known as the YAMAs. The event was initially dry and disorganized, but DJ Sway, who co-hosted with Pearl Thusi, injected life into the show. However, things took a turn for the worse when Pearl Thusi abruptly left the stage, leaving DJ Sway to carry on alone. Despite the unexpected setback, DJ Sway rose to the occasion and captivated the audience, effectively putting an end to the drama caused by Pearl Thusi.
In an exclusive interview after the YAMAs, DJ Sway revealed the behind-the-scenes chaos that unfolded during the event. He acknowledged the script editors, Phalana and Hope, who worked tirelessly to reedit the script and adapt it to a one-host format. Despite the last-minute changes, DJ Sway remained composed and focused, thanks to the support of his colleagues, such as Owen Rampha, Katlego Rakola, Tshepang Motsisi (DJ Easy), and LB.
When asked about his initial reaction to the unexpected turn of events, DJ Sway admitted to feeling saddened by how things ended. However, he credited Pearl Thusi for giving him a much-needed confidence boost during his moment of doubt. She reminded him that he was destined for greatness and that he didn’t need big stars to succeed. With her words of encouragement, DJ Sway regained his composure and approached the rest of the show with the same professionalism and charisma he displays on the radio.
To overcome the challenges he faced, DJ Sway relied on his radio skills and calm personality. He engaged with the audience as if he were speaking to a single person, pointing out individuals in the crowd to create a more intimate connection. He also expressed gratitude for his backstage team, who provided support and ensured the smooth running of the show.
DJ Sway expressed satisfaction in being seen as the saving grace of the YAMAs. He believed that he fulfilled his role as a host and brought joy to the Yarona FM board, his family, and his fans. Despite his success, DJ Sway’s journey has not been without hardships. He has experienced the loss of his mother and sister, which has left a lasting impact on him. While he continues to grieve, he seeks solace in therapy sessions and relies on his father for emotional support.
DJ Sway’s dedication to his craft and ability to overcome adversity make him a remarkable figure in the radio industry. His vibrant personality and deep knowledge of music have made him a perfect fit for Yarona FM. Despite the challenges he has faced, DJ Sway remains determined to make a positive impact and bring joy to his listeners. With his talent and resilience, there is no doubt that DJ Sway will continue to thrive in his career and leave a lasting legacy in the world of radio.
WeekendLife
Chef Gustos walk of shame
Chef Gustos, the renowned hitmaker, recently experienced what can only be described as a walk of shame at the 8th edition of the Yarona FM Music Awards (YAMAs). Despite being nominated a whopping seven times, he failed to secure a single win. Ouch!
The night was filled with surprises, drama, and controversy, but the biggest winner of the evening was Han C, who walked away with three awards, including Best Pop and Best Male Single for his hit song, “Sebinki.” Han C graciously announced that he would be donating P10,000 from his winnings to his fellow nominees, promoting a spirit of togetherness among artists. What a noble gesture!
Meanwhile, Chef Gustos found himself on the losing end of several categories, including People’s Choice Artist of the Year, which he had won in the past. He seemed unfazed by the loss, stating, “People know that ‘Away’ was big, but they won’t stop me.” It’s clear that Chef Gustos is determined to continue making music, regardless of the awards he receives.
However, he did express his frustration with the outcome, suggesting that the awards may be corrupt. He declined to comment further, citing the need to protect his brand and maintain good relationships with corporate clients. It’s understandable that he wants to avoid any potential damage to his future prospects.
In fact, Chef Gustos went so far as to request that Yarona FM not nominate him for future YAMAs. It seems he wants to distance himself from the disappointment and focus on his music without the pressure of awards. Perhaps this decision will allow him to create freely and without the burden of expectations.
While Chef Gustos may have experienced a walk of shame at the YAMAs, it’s important to remember that awards do not define an artist’s talent or success. His fans still appreciate his music, and he continues to have gigs with corporate clients. So, despite the disappointment, Chef Gustos remains optimistic about his future in the industry.
In the end, the YAMAs may have been a letdown for Chef Gustos, but he’s determined to keep moving forward. He won’t let a lack of awards dampen his spirits or hinder his creativity. And who knows, maybe next time he’ll come back stronger and prove that he’s deserving of recognition. After all, the true measure of an artist’s success lies in the hearts of their fans, not in shiny trophies.