Mesmerising Madi Majwana play portrays BCL reality
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Monday February 27, 2017 18:00
The play, which aims to empower the public on how to manage their finances, is set in Selebi-Phikwe. It is about the agony and distress that different individuals had to go through following the closure of the BCL Mine.
Even though most of the play was unravelling sad experiences that people in the mining town went through, more especially former BCL employees, the talented and energetic actors and actresses made the audience laugh a few times.
The first scene is based at a cab office. The owner of the business answers to moniker, The Blesser because he has an eye for young women.
He has two female employees, and the one who goes by the name Marriam is visually impaired. The Blesser is dating the other employee, Lorato who hardly does any work at the office. Lorato is always either painting her nails, applying make-up or on the phone.
“Hello Ladies, what do you have for me today? Hi Lorato, how are you dear? How is the business doing? You are a hard-worker my dear. Expect bonus from me this month end,” he says as he caresses and kisses her. The Blesser on the other hand mocks Marriam because of her quietness, saying he would fire her if she keeps up her attitude. The Blesser goes on to say he did Marriam a favour by hiring her when she is visually impaired.
He assures his staff not to worry about the BCL Mine closure, saying it will not affect his business because he transports other people who do not work for the mine.
In another scene, a tuck-shop owner, Mmagwe Bogosi is angry at her son because he did not wash dishes, after she told him to so. When asked how he will be able to take care of himself when the time for him to go to university comes, the young Bogosi tells his mother that he has no intentions of going to a tertiary institution, because there were many people that have excelled in life without having a degree or diploma. He says he wants to be self-employed.
Other scenes cover different aspects such as a farmer whose business was negatively affected by the BCL closure, because most of his customers worked for the mine. The farmer becomes mean towards his employee, Maru, even denying him a day off. The employee asked for a day off in order to seek financial assistance from the Youth Development Fund offices.
Maru wants to be a commercial farmer just like his boss, but his boss laughs in his face telling him that he has no abilities to be a businessman and will continue being a slave.
The businessman has 14 employees eight of whom are breadwinners. He is worried that if his business collapses, the families will also be negatively affected.
Tapologo’s job loss, and loss of income due to the BCL Mine closure brought him a lot of problems. His relationship with his spouse ended when she heard that he had lost his job. As if that was not enough, the bank called demanding him to pay his outstanding loan.
Meanwhile, some of Madi Majwana faithful listeners gave testimonies that their lives have transformed since they started listening to the drama on air. Most of them said they could easily identify with some characters from the story.
“Since I started listening to Madi Majwana on Yarona FM, I have opened a savings account. I have also encouraged my friends and family members to open theirs as that money can help them in times of need. One of my friends will soon be opening a business with money from her savings,” said one of the listeners, Richard Makabe from Ramotswa.
Madi Majwana Season III was inspired by the closure of the BCL Mine.
Barclays Bank over the past four years, has invested P3,589,400 to the success of Madi Majwana, including a commitment of more than P1-million this year.