Mmadinare Constituency dishes out class acts arts competition

| Thursday August 30, 2012 00:00

 

The competitions brought together performers from different villages that make up Mmadinare constituency. The villagers were kept entertained and educated throughout the day and into the early hours of the night by performers from various arts categories which included poetry, traditional instruments such as segaba and marapo performing dikhwaere, setapa and drama.

Performing under the theme: Kgokgontsho ya masiela mo malwapeng (Abuse of orphans at homes) different groups captivated their audience with their skills in an attempt to win first prizes.  Poets came on stage to test their oratory skills and they did not disappoint. It was quite interesting to see several women slugging it out with their male counterparts in a category that has been dominated by men for a very long time.

Tebogo Marope, a female poet who eventually scooped position two was in her element as she exposed the evil that is abuse of orphans.  In one of her lines, she expressed how the ordeal begins concerning the treatment of orphans.  'Rona masiela e are go tewa batsadi ba rona gotwe ba robale ka kagiso e bo e le gone jaaka re simologelwa ke mathata' (Trouble for us orphans starts when our parents are laid to rest).  The crowd was left in an emotional state by her poem.  Another female poet, Lesego Oratile 'told' her audience how perpetrators of abuse of orphans shamelessly go about their dirty deeds.  'Rona masiela re ba tlhatswetsa le tsa ka fa teng tota' (We orphans we are forced to wash even their underwears). Dominic Maema who eventually got position one was terrific. He was the only poet without an assistant and depended on the audience to ululate for him. They literally ate out of the palm of his hand. Traditional instruments performers came and continued where the poets left. Mmolotsi Selaelo used the guitar so effectively that the audience went wild with excitement.

It was not surprising when he got position one for his act. Women some old enough to be grandparents performed using which is quite unknown by today's generation. Dikhwaere spiced up the occasion with their brilliant performances. Their moves, steps and blending sweet melodies were electrifying and kept the crowd glued to their acts.  It was quite a spectacle to see choirs clad in their fancy attires. It showed how serious they were with the competitions. Sebalwe choir from Tobane was the crowds' favourites.

The audience followed each move they made with enthusiasm and could not help as they cheered them on. It was not surprising when the group emerged winners in their category. They had class. The competition for the best setapa dance was between Mmadinare cultural group from Mmadinare and PhalatsaBatalaote from Sefophe. The former emerged victorious. Dikgong tsa Ngwao (Mogapinyana) and Ditswaganong (Fole) came  third and fourth respectively. In the evening the stage was set for drama.  It was here that performers visualised what the orators and singers had done earlier.   From the acts, physical, emotional and sexual abuse came out as the types of abuses that are most prevalent, especially committed on the innocent orphans.  The groups showed orphans are denied basic rights like education and instead sent to perform errands at the lands or cattle posts.  It was disheartening when actors showed how caregivers abuse food rations of the orphans either by selling them or the beneficiaries not getting what was meant for them as they get crumbs if they are lucky.

In such scenarios, the performers raised awareness as to where to seek redress.  The first stop is the social welfare office and the involvement of other stakeholders like the police.  The day was indeed a productive one as people were kept entertained as well as being educated.  'You will never walk alone' theatre group from Mmadinare emerged winners. In an interview, the district arts and culture officer Setshego Mokgatle praised the performers for their sterling performances. 

She said that they normally choose themes for the competitions and that sometimes performers have input on the themes to be used in the competitions.   For her part, arts and culture officer Tshephang  Gareegope said she was happy with government input in helping the youth. 'Not only do these competitions keep the youths engaged, they are also helping them to nurture their talents to be professional performers in future,' she said.