A Re Yeng Botswana musical returns bigger, better
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Tuesday December 20, 2022 06:00
The two-day event kick started on Wednesday. The event was previously showcased in celebration of Botswana’s independence in September where Mophato Dance Theatre a local contemporary dance group collaborated with another local choral Kgalemang Tumediso Motsete (KTM) Choir and came up with a beautiful piece of art that got many begging for more.
Even though KTM Choir was not part of the performance, A Re Yeng Botswana crew delivered at sterling performance. This time around the play was a bit different from last time as the cast brought in a few changes. They replaced KTM Choir songs with popular Setswana folklore songs that took the audience more especially the older ones back to the memory lane. They sung songs like sisila mmele mmele, mmanmati mpelegela ngwana and many more.
Even in the show they added a few changes like the inclusion of a baboon that was terrorising the village and traditional games like mmele, diketo, koi and bobmali shake. The energy and thrill the performers gave was also breath taking as usual. It was evident that both crews worked hard to come up with such a remarkable performance.
Seeing a collaboration of choral music and contemporary music which also included traditional dances such as tsutsube, borankana, phatisi and a bit of drama is something that has never happened in the local entertainment. The show also showcased how Batswana used to celebrate ploughing season as farming has always being part of their lives.
The ladies scattered seeds as a way of showing how Batswana used to believe in the broadcasting type of farming. Other ladies later joined in dancing traditional dance. Both teams looked stunning in both the traditional and vintage clothing showcasing how people used to dress in the olden days. There was also a love poem and later two acts showcasing how men used to propose to their girlfriends and end up falling in love with one another unlike the previous act that depicted Letswela Baratani Hill tale.
It also showcased a group of children playing and refusing to be sent to do house chores like go sila which was unusual for a child to refuse to be sent on an errand by an elder in the past since it is disrespectful. After that part, it later took the audience to the day when big rocks fell on a hill at Goo-Moremi, something that was regarded as a bad omen.
There was a narration that the fallen rocks were prophesying the death of the first President of Botswana also the Paramount chief of Bamangwato. The show proceeded to the crew showcasing how a dark cloud was hanging over the country that particular year leaving the nation devastated and mourning for their leader. However, this time around, KTM Choir withdrew itself from the performance. They released a press statement that reads as thus, “KTM Choir notes with disappointment advertisement carring the KTM Choir brand identity material suggesting that the recent ‘A Re Yeng Botswana’ with KTM Choir show is back.”
“The KTM Choir board of directors, executive committee and members hereby the public, the media and all stakeholders at large that the choir last participated in the show carrying names A Re Yeng Botswana in September. KTM therefore distances itself from A Re Yeng Botswana show scheduled for December 14 to 15, 2022.”
The country’s former President Festus Mogae, his wife, daughter and other dignitaries who seemed to have being enjoying every bit of it, graced the event.