Theatre groups thrill at Maitisong
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Wednesday November 19, 2014 15:30
Ga-Ga Ja Pharing and The Laboratory community theatre groups proved that Botswana has talent and that indeed theatre is alive in the country. Ga-Ga Ja Pharing nearly brought the hall to tears with their beautiful show, Nkazana, meaning a small or second wife. The play was about an abused woman who ended up nearly killing her husband after he emotionally and physically abused her.
The story begins with the couple’s daughter Kate telling her friends of the incidents during a symposium on women and children abuse.
Her mother, Tapiwa met her rich father who was loved by many as he was a loving and humble man. As a loving person, Tapiwa took pity on Charles whom she felt that even though he had a lot of money, was a very sad man. He too fell for her, and they started a life together.
After some time, the loving man turned to a beast. He started assaulting and insulting his wife during her pregnancy, and after the birth of their child. After having enough of her husband’s abuse, she tied him to the bed and chopped him to pieces with a big knife but fortunately the man survived. She was imprisoned. Tapiwa lost the opportunity of becoming a medical doctor, when she went to prison. She had been admitted to study medicine.
The play left the audience in tears.
When everyone was about to burst in tears, The Laboratory changed the mood with their play. The play portrayed Boko’s family, where the wife was concerned about her husband ‘wasting’ money on political campaigns.
The couple had a daughter whom they always ignored. She always intervened during her parents’ conversations. The wife also had a father called Kitso. The old man claimed to know all about politics and was always gossiping about political incidents, and making fun of other politicians.
According to the concert coordinator, Sengwato Rampha, the event was hosted to give the community theatre the limelight and exposure. Gaborone district coordinator, at the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture, Jacob Sekgoni, applauded the youth for their great performances. “I am aware that the 2014 African Footsteps Travelling Show is an annual event currently on its second year. I am happy to learn that this event has been developed with the sole objective of introducing and showcasing community performing arts of Botswana to the corporate world.
Efforts made by Ga-Ga Ja Pharing Theatre Artist to organise and host an event of this nature in collaboration with Maitisong are commendable as such efforts contribute to the development and growth of the performing arts in Botswana,” he said. He encouraged arts groups and individuals to come up with initiatives that would help them in sustaining their daily lives and career. He encouraged them to apply for the Annual Arts and Culture grants for possible funding from the ministry.