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Thabiso Maretlwaneng certified Master in filmmaking

“IT’S TIME FOR US TO ARCHIVE BOTSWANA HISTORY INTO BIOPICS FILMS”

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In this interview with WeekendLife, Thabiso Maretlwaneng, a renowned filmmaker and creator of various television programs in Botswana, talks about his graduation with Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Motion Picture Medium from the AFDA University and his career in the industry. He also discussed his upcoming project, Sgela, which is a youth school TV drama. Thabiso is also director & producer of Botswana Television’s Pula Power entertainment show, Ntwakgolo & Pelokgale TV dramas, Trends lifestyle show.

Q: Take us through your academic achievement being certified Master in your filmmaking craft?

A: (…Giggles…) What a 3 year journey it has been! To study MFA! After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in film and TV at Swinburne University in Australia way back in 2006. Due to my hectic schedule and work commitments, I have always postponed my desire to pursue a master’s degree. However, my wife persuaded me to take up this opportunity when she started her PhD in Cape Town in 2019. With over 16 years of experience in the television industry, I knew that I needed to improve my knowledge in order to better understand the various facets of the film and television industry. I decided to pursue a Master’s in Film and Television at the AFDA University in Cape Town. This was the best school for me in Africa. 

Q: But for Botswana Film & TV industry is it important to get to this level of education because some argue that despite it being a trillion dollar industry globally,  the Botswana film/TV  industry is not sustainable locally and it has a long way to go in order to match the world’s standards?

A: We must start appreciating the contributions of the local creatives and the efforts that they have made to make our country a better place. Most of the time, people in the country produce content using their own funds. However, there are also individuals who can produce high-quality content that can compete against the international film producers.

The goal of my master’s degree was to study the history of Botswana cinema in order to gain a deeper understanding of its current state and how it could be produced using digital media. In addition, this course, and the way it is designed helped me understand what we lack and why creatives understand the value of their industry. Through this, I hope to help them develop their ideas into a successful product for the country’s market. Similar to what South Africans and Nigerians did, we should not rely on what worked for them to produce content that will work for us.

Q: Tell us more about your thesis topic research and findings?

A: My thesis topic was ‘Preserving, Restoring and Promoting Botswana History in Biopic Films’. This was a very personal topic to me as a filmmaker. I was fortunate to witness Botswana turning 50 years of independence in 2016 under the slogan BOT50. While the country was hyped up during the celebrations, I realized there was nothing much to showcase visually on our journey as a country, there are no archived video content that back dated to the 1880s.Though everything was documented in print, this was a huge concern for me, I wondered what is going to happen in the  next 50 years of BOT100 because the new millennials are slowly losing interest in the culture of reading.

Part of my literature review is an extract from a US-based study called “Presence of the Past”, it highlights the importance of film in educating the public about history. According to the same study viewers of historical movies and television series reported feeling a stronger connection to the past than those who studied history in school via reading.

It’s time for us now to archive Botswana history into biopics/historical/period films and that’s what I’m advocating for as a local filmmaker than waiting for international productions to come here with their international actors to re-enact the lives of our historical icons. Imagine the ‘Battle of Dimawe’ story turned into a TV series or a movie, our inspiring story of Botswana ‘road to independence in 1966’, that’s a symbol of our pride that celebrates Botswana’s democracy that is admired by the whole world

Q: So what were your findings and the way forward?

A: I was fortunate enough to interview for my research some of the prominent people in the film industry and historians who wrote Botswana history books that Botswana students read in schools. I interviewed Dr Jeff Ramsay, Dr Fred Morton, Botswana Society Organization-Bono Mmusi, filmmaker Moabi Mogorosi and history blogger Alfred Masokola.

Some of the results showed numerous factors, including a lack of funding from the public and private sectors, an overreliance on government funding, inadequate financial incentives or rewards in the nation’s film industry, and the nascent and poorly organized state of the film industry.

The positive finding was that archiving the country’s history through film storytelling was viewed to be an informative approach to preserving, restoring, and promoting Botswana’s history. Local filmmakers need to take the challenge to convert the document history of Botswana into easily consumable products such as biopics, especially for consumption by the millennium generation. 

Q: What can you tell us in conclusion? 

A: My masters’ research is a tangible document that will be presented to every office that matters. I strongly advocate for the production of our history films because we have an informed approach and these films can help the country showcase its progress and transformation over the years in both politics and socio development. The audience can relate with these films to induce cultural memory and experience the impact of the past on how it influences the present Botswana.

I believe this is a start and soon I will be launching a biopics foundation to raise funds for producing Botswana history stories into biopics films because we cannot wait for the government to always save the industry. And  also I’m excited  my masters has imparted me with the necessary qualification to kickstart Dee-Zone film academy so I may impart knowledge to new and fresh talent who can take on the world and to tell our stories with new media technology.

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WeekendLife

Mrs Botswana’s ‘MO’ to gender parity

18th March 2024
Mrs. Portiah S Mokgathong

Mrs. Portiah S Mokgathong, an illustrious beacon brightening the corners of Botswana, wields her vision for gender equity and empowerment like a torch, illuminating paths for her community. Standing at the helm of the Anaya-Tlhwatlhwa Foundation, and donning multiple hats as an international personal wellness coach, a savvy business magnate, and the esteemed Mrs. Botswana 2023/24, her mission is to cast rays of change into the lives she touches.

Her strategy for bridging the gender divide is both comprehensive and visionary. Mokgathong, understanding the vitality of lifting women and girls, equally champions the cause of young boys and men. She advocates for a culture of mutual admiration and understanding across gender lines, fostering a society unbound by the shackles of conventional gender roles—a society where balance and harmony reign supreme.

 

In her magnum opus, a collaborative venture with entities like NAPHA, Men and Boys for Gender Justice, the Botswana Police Service, and Girls for Girls Botswana, lies a quest for familial empowerment. Her goal is to fortify the foundation of families, supporting parents and guardians, sons and daughters alike, equipping them with the capabilities to forge strong intrapersonal and professional bonds.

 

“My project is family oriented, we want to focus on the family as a whole, we want to help both parents or guardians, men and women and the children of households both boy and girl. I am passionate in doing so because lately women and the girl child have been given a pedestal, they have been given a lot of help and a lot of recognition while men are considered as perpetrators and young boys are neglected, therefore we want to groom both the girl and boy child so that they grow up to be able to interact with each other and when they get to relationships, be it personal or work wise,” she said.

 

Mokgathong’s reach extends further than mere intervention; she invests in the empowerment of individuals through education, skill development, and the allocation of resources crucial for autonomy and enduring triumphs. By nurturing innate capabilities, igniting the flames of innovation, and promoting entrepreneurship, she sets the stage for marginalized communities to emerge from the shadows of dependency, crafting their own realms of prosperity.

 

“As we educate a girl child to be strong and independent, we also enable a young man or boy to be able to accept that strong independent woman, ensuring that the equation is balanced. I also want to help stop gender-based violence while protecting our children. When I began my initiative, it was based on GBV and child protection, but it developed into campaigning for the less fortunate and vulnerable,” she stresses.

 

Her journey, fraught with hurdles, including early disappointments in her pursuit of the Mrs. Botswana title, stands testament to her resilience and indomitable spirit. Gratitude fills her heart for mentors, sponsors, kin, and comrades whose support has sculpted her into the powerhouse she is today.

 

She says: “People want to be involved with you when you are a top finalist or the reigning queen. When I first started, I was only a person, and it was difficult and time-consuming to generate cash, solicit donations, and obtain obligation, particularly in rural areas. But right now, as the reigning queen it is a bit easier to reach out to collaborators and sponsors and I pray to God that as I am continuing with my project after crowning the new queen it will continue to be so and growth and more people will be willing to invest and help out.”

 

Juggling her myriad roles demands the prowess of a maestro, yet Mokgathong thrives by weaving her family into her philanthropic endeavors and mastering the art of time management. She empowers young aspirants to self-reflect, establish objectives, harness mentorship and sponsorship, and gear up for the trials that lie ahead.

 

As Mrs. Botswana, her ambition soars beyond personal accolades; it’s tethered to the upliftment of her nation through the empowerment of women, the nurturing of men’s talents, and the preparation of the youth for a flourishing future. She envisages expanding the Anaya-Tlhwatlhwa Foundation’s influence, delving deeper into rural engagements to sow seeds of empowerment and hope for generations yet to come.

 

“For charity work to be more effective, I believe we need to empower other than just giving. We need to empower the less privileged and the vulnerable, with the right skills and knowledge so that they can sustain themselves in the long run. We need to help those who are talented and innovative. I am proud to say my work is doing wonders, the kids that we are mentoring are able to find direction in life, they now know what they want to be as they grow up and they are able to identify subjects they want to study and career they want to pursue. Families that we have been in contact with, families that are from different background are able to identify their skills and they are able to grow and turn them into businesses.”

 

In essence, Mrs. Portiah S Mokgathong stands as a pillar of strength and a source of inspiration in Botswana. Her unwavering commitment to fostering gender equality, community upliftment, and personal development lights the way for others. Through her relentless endeavors and steadfast dedication, she renders a profound impact on her community and beyond, etching a durable mark of empowerment and optimism.

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WeekendLife

The narrative of joy’s true roots unfolds

18th March 2024
Happiness Research a Game Changer for the Environment

 

 

 

 

AUBREY LUTE

STAFF WRITER

 

Happiness research is proving to be a game changer for the environment, as it challenges the traditional notions of success and well-being that have led to environmental destruction. Author Jeff Golden, in his book Reclaiming the Sacred, highlights the findings that money and possessions account for only a small percentage of people’s happiness. Beyond meeting basic needs, additional money does not significantly increase happiness and can even undermine well-being by compromising relationships, leisure time, and gratitude.

 

This luminous work, crowned as the pinnacle of environmental literature by IndieReader and hailed across genres at the Nautilus Book Awards, shares prestigious laurels with luminaries such as the Dalai Lama and Brené Brown. It delves deep into the heart of happiness, revealing a threadbare connection to material wealth that has been our misdirected pursuit since the twilight of the 1940s.

 

The decline in happiness in the United States and other industrialized nations since the 1940s can be attributed to the emphasis on economic growth and consumption as measures of success. This focus has led to environmental destruction and a disconnect from the joy and wonder inherent in the world. By shifting our relationships with money and possessions, we have the opportunity to elevate our quality of life and reconnect with what truly matters.

 

One of the key insights from happiness research is that people living in serious poverty are still satisfied with their lives, while wealthy individuals often struggle to find happiness. Money does not equate to happiness, and the pursuit of wealth can actually diminish the ability to savor positive emotions and experiences. Even lottery winners find that their happiness levels return to baseline within a few months.

 

The optimal amount of work to maximize happiness is around 8 hours a week, highlighting the importance of balance and leisure time in well-being. By reevaluating our priorities and shifting away from materialism, we can create a more sustainable and fulfilling way of life.

 

Further explorations in Golden’s magnum opus present a paradox of satisfaction amidst scarcity, with a significant majority finding contentment in the face of poverty, juxtaposed against the fleeting happiness of wealth. The narrative delves into the diminishing returns of affluence on the ability to cherish life’s fleeting moments and the ephemeral nature of fortune’s favor. It posits a provocative thesis on the optimal engagement in work for harvesting happiness, challenging the sanctity of the 40-hour workweek.

 

 

Jeff Golden, with his background in sustainable development and environmental advocacy, brings a unique perspective to the discussion of happiness and its impact on the environment. Through his book Reclaiming the Sacred, he encourages readers to reconsider their relationship with money and possessions and embrace a more holistic approach to well-being.

 

The happiness research is a powerful tool for promoting environmental sustainability. By recognizing that true happiness lies beyond material wealth, we can make choices that benefit both ourselves and the planet. It is time to reclaim the sacredness of ourselves and the world around us, and create a more harmonious and fulfilling future for all.

 

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LESEGO CHOMBO FOR MISS WORLD TITLE

6th March 2024

The outgoing Miss Botswana Lesego Chombo says her participation at the on-going Miss World beauty competition has grown her to be an ambassador of Botswana and the African continent at large.

Chombo has made history as the first participant from Botswana to perform exceptionally well at Miss World, with former Miss Botswana Emma Wareus being the second best after placing first runner up in 2010.

The Miss World Top 4 finalist is the first to place in all Miss World Fast Track events, and winning some in the process.

She is also the first Miss Botswana to perform at the Miss World Beauty-with-a-Purpose Gala Dinner.

Further, Chombo is the only Miss Botswana participant at the pageant to have her Beauty-with-a-Purpose project in the Top 10.

Chombo is the first Miss Botswana to place high in Talent Fast Track event.

Meanwhile, Miss World finale will be broadcasting live this Saturday on BTV and the Miss World website and YouTube.

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