Molosi directs Hollywood theatre
WeekendLife
Award-winning local actor and playwright, Donald Molosi’ s Folk Tale Theatre Company is fast becoming one of the most sought-after theatre companies and theatre consultancies around the world.
On April 13 and 15 this year Folk Tale will stage a new play called ‘Elements’ for Maitisong Festival. The show will be staged in partnership with the Kenyan High Commission in Gaborone.
‘Elements’ marks Molosi’s directorial debut and will star Zanele Tumelo, Teto Mokaila, Moduduetso Lecoge and Molosi himself. Molosi says that Kenyan Ambassador H.E. Jean Kimani champions the bilateral relations between Kenya and Botswana and the staging of this Kenyan play here as Botswana turns 50 years is a wonderful gesture to the Botswana public on the part of the High Commissioner.
‘Elements’ was written by Molosi’s friend, John Sibi-Okumu whose mainly known for his acting roles in Hollywood films like ‘The Constant Gardener’ and ‘The First Grader.’
Molosi told Weekend Life that he’s always admired Sibi-Okumu’s work. He said it is an honor to bring his work to life for a Botswana audience.
“It is my directorial debut and I am very excited for people to see what I have done with the story as director,” he said.
Everyone can relate to the struggle of being an individual in a world that is constantly trying to force everyone to be the same. That is what the play is all about. Folk Tale is consciously celebrating all those who have been called ‘misfits, ’anomalies, ’different,’ ‘weird’ and so on.
‘Elements’ tells the story of a young woman called Dana who is of ‘mixed-race’ and has lived all over the world and how she negotiates the notion of belonging. According to Molosi.“
Folk Tale Theatre Company wants to use this play to discuss the issue of belonging and whether one should care about belonging.
“There are many people, young and old, struggling with what it means to belong. With this piece, we are saying that it is okay not to belong. It is okay to be an individual. It is okay to not fit in. Those who come to see the piece will hopefully experience a healing of sorts for themselves as well,” said Molosi.
Teto Mokaila said Folk Tale is a family of like-minded individuals whose mandate is to tell Africa's untold stories in ways that resonate in the hearts of all that witness them; encouraging dialogue and change surrounding pertinent issues barely covered by mass media.
With Elements, Folk Tale is going for a more intimate audience experience. The play will be staged in a small black-box theatre unlike Molosi’s usual shows which are usually in large theatres.
“One of the things I enjoyed most when I first performed off-Broadway about a decade ago was the intimacy of the performance space. I could perform very close to the audience, about a metre away and audiences loved that. That is what you will see in Elements that we are performing close to the audience so that they are not alienated from the action onstage,” explained Molosi.
He says it is looking very good in rehearsal and in the play and that Tumelo and Mokaila give some of the best performances one will not see in Botswana all year. He advised people to get tickets early because performing in an intimate space means that there are fewer tickets to sell.
Tickets for the show are on sale for P100 at Maitisong Theatre at Maru-a-Pula School. Folk Tale Theatre Company is also on Facebook and its twitter and Instagram handle is @folktaleTC.
Folk Tale was profiled by CNN last year for excellence in using professional theatre to tell African stories that inspire and entertain.
In 2015, the company memorably staged its inaugural performance at GICC, a tailor-made theatrical production about Botswana Life’s contributions to Botswana over the past 40 years. The company also powered Molosi’s international tour late last year.
This year, Zanele Tumelo said, the play “Elements,” presents an opportunity to explore identity's diversity.
“I hope people journey on this exhibition, arriving to a destination of a deeper sense of themselves and those around them,” she concluded.
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Creatives taking over 2023
Creativity is seen everywhere and these individuals did something recently that’s never been done before, and some are still killing it. We see creativity on streaming platforms, stages, runways, social media and boardrooms even. Some of them are revamping their businesses, and lately, clothing sale is thriving.
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.
This is commendable though, but the creative industry will still need support from government in order for it to flourish further. Allocation of resources (funds, facilities and empowerment) should be done consistently, creativity must be raised and at the end of the day, the economy benefits from that kind of investment.
HAN C
Ever since he parted ways with his former manager, DJ Bougee Sid, Mahalapye born-pint sized, multi-award-winning artist, Hanceford Magapatona has been taking up space, unapologetically so. Han C has shown a strong will to take over the entire world, and he is in the right direction. He’s solely organizing the annual Mahalapye Spring Festival, which is taking place next weekend.
The Pepetetsa hitmaker raked some monies from his savings to put together this event. Mahalapye Spring Festival will feature Paige, Ubuntu Band, Khoisan, Amantle Brown and Double Up among others. Even though it didn’t come as a surprise, Han C was nominated at African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) in the US, under Best Male Southern Africa category.
However, the award was snatched by the late South African rapper, AKA. Its not all lost as Han C secured two nominations at the Yarona FM Music Awards (YAMAs): People’s Choice of the Year and Best Male Single.
KOKETSO MOTSWAGOLE
This entrepreneur has turned his dreams into reality, and his promising apparel business is now a fashion destination. Matter of fact, Motswagole weathered the storms to be where he is now because through criticism and social media bullying, he still leads the pack in fashion.
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.
KAGISO LUDO DE KLERK
Vee Mampeezy’s ex-wife Kagiso De Klerk clearly did not sit and weep over their dramatic divorce. The famous social media influencer hurriedly picked up the pieces and went hard on promoting business online. She literally took social media influencing to the head and it is working for her.
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
After a long break from the limelight, renowned media and radio personality, Gaona Dintwe is back. She was missed by many on TV, and she’s back where she belongs, news anchoring on BTV. Gaona has also found a niche in podcasting. She is a host of her own podcast, Gaona Live Conversation, where various people share their stories on camera.
Some of what they discuss is Gender Based Violence (GBV), polygamy and drug addiction. This is highly commendable because even BTV doesn’t have programs that discuss these crucial social issues. The Lentswelemoruti native is also seen in various corporate events where she is engaged as a host.
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DITIRO LEERO ONE MAN SHOW ON THE PIPELINE
Now that one-man shows are made fashionable, traditional dance guru and ex-convict, Ditiro Leero is joining the crusade and he will be hosting his also. The show will be held next month at Zone 4 Farm in Selokolela, but the there are traditional dance music artists who have been lined up to perform at the show. Matshana, Morwa Leka and Maswailathota will be doing their thing and probably bring some heat too. Ditiro Leero will be making history as the first traditional artist to host a one-man show in Botswana.
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MISS BOTSWANA HAVING MANY IRONS IN THE FIRE
With only two months before Miss World 2023, the reigning Miss Botswana, Lesego Chombo is having many irons in the fire, preparing for the much-anticipated beauty pageant. Miss World 2023 will be the 71st edition of Miss World pageant and it will be held in India. Chombo has been spotted toning her body at Jack’s gym, a requirement that is taken seriously at the pageant. She has also been participating in charity events, something that should add to her profile at the Miss World.