Actor Modise is new Mokaragana TV show presenter

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Thursday November 17, 2011 00:00

 

 

Modise has been presenting the music programme for over two months.   

It remains to be seen whether he would be able to fit into Ntsoro's big shoes.  However, the energetic Modise seems to be adjusting quickly.  Even  'lebandla' (the show's rent a crowd) have welcomed him as one of their own.

During last Saturday's show, one of the popular artists that Modise featured on the show was Afro jazz queen Punah Gabasiane. Gabasiane was geared in a Herero traditional dress, belted out songs from her latest album, Botho.

Modise has an acting background. During the last shows at Mokaragana, Ntsoro presented with Modise maybe as a way of introducing him to 'lebandla'. Although Mokaragana has always been a popular programme but Ntsoro took it to dizzy heights.  Ntsoro was a hit with the audience because of his humorous jokes. Ntsoro took over the programme from Miso 'Mega V' Mmereki who was also a vivacious character.

Ntsoro could bring life to the drabbest of performances.  Mokaragana is meant to promote local artists. But some of the performances on the show have been found wanting. Speaking in an interview, Modise said he wants to take the show to another level. Modise said he found presenting Mokaragana to be easy because as an actor, he is creative.  

He said in the past he presented shows when he was promoting company products.  He has also been a Master of Ceremonies at various events.  

'I have the experience, this is why I have found it easier to present Mokaragana,' he said. Even during his first show, he did not have stage fright.  Actually, Modise was called for Mokaragana auditions in 2008. Although he was excelled during the auditions he never presented the music show.

In fact it was only last year that Modise was given another Btv show, Lobebe, which is about choirs.  He has been presenting the choirs' programme until he took over Mokaragana.  

Regarding his new show, Modise made it clear that he is going to be his own man. He is not going to try to be another 'Ntsoro'.  Although they are buddies he is not going to emulate Ntsoro. He said somebody recently asked him why he is not doing jokes like Ntsoro. He added that Ntsoro has done drama just like him, but they are different characters.

Modise said he is bringing his own style to the show. He has been renowned for chanting his catch phrase 'phunya' when he is presenting the programme.  'People are getting used to me because of my catch word,' he said, adding that he has become associated with the word.  In fact, other people refer to him as Phunya.  

Modise who is a devout Christian has come to defend himself for using this word.  Apparently other people relate it to sexual connotations.  

He said this is a name that he has been given by his colleagues at church.  Phunya, he said, is a Methodist hymn 249, which is called Phunya Diba Sa Krirstala. 'I am using the word because Mokaragana unearths talent from different parts of the country.  It is in relation to unearthing talent.    The word phunya also means that the audience should rejoice.'  

The actor turned TV presenter said he cannot use offending language on national television. Besides presenting a TV show, Modise is also running a drama group, which is known as Tsoga Africa Theatre Works.  He has also been training students at different schools about acting. Modise has also ventured into video production and TV advertising.  

Actually modise's family is in the arts or you can say they are a creative couple.  

Modise is married to the Botswana Police actress Onkemetse Modise. Onkemetse has appeared on many episodes of the Botswana Police crime prevention TV programme, Itshireletse.  One of the roles that she became popular for was when she did the part of as an abused student who was known as Diphuka.  

The couple, who are live in Block 9, are blessed with two children.