Experts regard it as edutainment, as it simultaneously educates and entertains.
It is to this end that Botswana Training Authority (BOTA) organised a theatre festival for all Vocational Training Institutions (VTIs) in Botswana. This festival is the second, after last year’s, which is the result of a theatre workshop held in Maun in April 2004.
The theme of this year’s festival is; Theatre Overcoming Domestic Violence, Passion Killings and HIV/AIDS!
A good number of VTIs graced the festival, which started on Monday and is being held at two venues - Gaborone West Community Hall and Tsholofelo Community Hall. Showbiz visited the Tsholofelo venue on Monday, where the first group to perform was Tswelelopele Brigade of Ramotswa. Their play focused mainly on the advice that young people can give to their elders. “Botlhale jwa Phala...”
We see here an abusive husband whose children try to seek help from their grandfather and advise him to intervene in the violence, which is happening at their house. The old man - Taselbomo - played by Rudolf Selelo, ignores them, telling them that they are liars. If anything is happening between their parents he would be the first to know, so they are just fabricating stories.
When this beautiful piece begins, the husband - Jonas Matimela - played by Kalayamore Mhalodi, is seen pulling his wife Maggie, played by Magdeline Rabasima, whom he had tied to a chair. He accuses her of cheating on him, which she admits to her children; “Ke botshelo bongwanaka”, she confessed when the children confront her about their father’s accusations.
The husband who undergoes an HIV test finds he is positive, but his wife refuses to accompany him to the testing centre. Out of anger, he then kills his wife, daughter - Senakie - played by Annah Mogotsi and later takes his life.
Taselbomo on hearing the terrible news blames himself although he tries his best to hide it. He tries to calm down his grandson - Bitumelo, played by Onalethata Maiswe to no avail “Se lele ngwanangwanaka, o itshware senna jaaka nna. Iyooh nna. Iyooh, Iyooh,” he bellowed, to the amusement of the audience.
Although this piece is characterised by pain in both action and song and even though there are some hiccups in the application of theatre skills and tactics it is a good piece. Its main strength is that it is fast paced.
Taselbomo has a good voice, which he commands well and uses effectively to captivate the audience. A few things such as the stage fights, eye contact, voice from backstage if perfected, could make this play a beautiful piece indeed. The message, which they clearly articulated, is that there is need for communication within families if they are to live in harmony. The ability of Taselbomo to always be in character has come as a good stead for the group.
Another group, which thrilled the audience, was Selebi-Phikwe Technical College. Their play whose main emphasis is ‘from sweet to sour’ is a marvel to watch. The play portrays a happily married couple - three weeks after their honeymoon - who find themselves confronted with the dilemma of one partner being HIV positive.
It is the husband, who proposes the visit to Tebelopele Counselling and Testing Centre. The wife initially resists but is eventually convinced to attend. When it turns out that the husband, who has a daughter from a previous relationship, is positive and the wife is negative, this creates bad air between the couple.
An argument ensues and the angry wife wants out of the marriage and even throws the ring at the stunned husband.
The man is then left alone to reminiscence about his past lavish life. He confesses, “they used to call me full spatch’ at Chez Ntemba.” At this point flash backs are used of the women he used to date. He vows to kill his wife, which he eventually does and then kills himself. They leave behind their orphaned and traumatised daughter.
The husband is played by Ntebogang Bundu, wife by Senye Ranabe, while the daughter is played by Keitumetse Mosu. Other members of the cast are Gomolemo Ramahobo who plays the pastor, Amogelang Mosotho (aunt), Israel Makgalemela (uncle), Lucas Moshokgo (friend), Chidode Boineelo (police officer) Dithunya Nyere, Masego Montsho, Lorato Mooketsi and Keabetswe Makaja, who all play former girlfriends to the murderous husband.
The theatre festival runs all week with eliminations everyday. The finals will be held at the BTV Amphitheatre on Friday from 6pm.
