Meet Basuhi, the unsung heroine

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Thursday November 24, 2011 00:00

 

Basuhi is the co-founder of the popular traditional troupe, Mogwana, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year.  She formed the group in 1991 with the current Kanye South Member of Parliament (MP) Abraham Kesupile, who then was an educationalist. Basuhi said they formed Mogwana as a noble idea to help take the youth out of the the streets.  Besides the formation of Mogwana, the 56-year-old retired banker,  has been involved in a number of community development and art projects. 

Basuhi originates from the Motebejane ward in Kanye. Motebejane is a reservoir of eminent politicians because it is also the original home of former republican president Sir Ketumile Masire.

After completing her Cambridge in the '70s, Basuhi worked for the Department of Taxes for two years.  She then joined the Bank of Botswana (BoB) where she worked for several years until her retirement in 2003.  Apart from her normal work schedule Basuhi volunteered her time to participate in community development and performing arts activities through numerous organisations, including the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) as its national youth president and the Botswana Cultural Activities Support Trust (BCAST). The mandate of the trust was to manage funds and provide funding for art projects.  She is the founding member of the regional community museum in Kanye, Kgosi Bathoen II (Segopotso) Museum, former president of the Central Bank Union, former member of the Botswana National Cultural Council sub-committee and former member of the Competency Committee, Botswana National Commission for UNESCO. On the performing arts scene,  Basuhi has in-depth knowledge of drama, music and dance productions. She is the a former member  of Capital Players theatre group.

Basuhi was also involved with Reetsanang Association of Community Drama Groups as drama resource person.

She is the former chairperson of Baranodi Performing Arts as well as former chairperson of the board of trustees of Mambo Arts commune. Basuhi's passion for community development has continued even after retirement.  She is currently the coordinator of the Mogwana Traditional Song and Dance group and chairperson of the Botswana Music Camp. The aim of the Botswana Music Camp is to provide an opportunity for Batswana to learn about music.  She is a member of the International Network for Cultural Diversity and International Dance Council.

Currently, Basuhi is running a business that is related to the promotion of traditional song and dance and sale of arts and crafts through Leoa Cultural Promotions (Pty) Limited.  It was through Leoa Cultural Promotions that Basuhi got herself and Mogwana involved with the shooting of Re Bina Mmogo, the Botswana Television drama series in 2005 and the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency movie in 2007 and 2008.  She played one of the main characters on Re Bina Mmogo and received a cameo role in the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency movie as Mma Ramotswe's aunt.  She also served as a cultural advisor on the international movie.   Basuhi's contribution to the development of art and culture in this country has not gone unnoticed.  In the last decade she received a number of accolades and awards including the Orange Botswerere Artist of the Year award, a Presidential certificate of honour, and a Botswana Musicians Union/Mascom award for her contribution to the development of the arts. 

The Sesu-raised Basuhi grew up in a family of song and dance.  Her mother, also her source of inspiration, was a leader of a traditional dancing troupe.  During Botswana's 10th independence anniversary in 1976, her mother's group went to perform in Kanye.