26 Oct 2014

Some performing artists usually claim to be where they are by “accident.”

They were either spotted by someone or ended up being in the thick of things while accompanying a friend to an audition. But for upcoming actor, Derrick Mopalo (24), acting was the only career he had set his goal on since he was young.

“When I was still at junior school, we used to have plays during prize giving ceremony at our drama group and all the big roles would be given to me,” he said. He then formed a group called Sepano sa pitse immediately after he finished his junior certificate (JC).

The group was based in Maun and used to compete during President’s Day competitions where it would scoop position one at wards level. Seeing the depth of his passion and extent of his gift, his parents did not stand on the way of his dream.

In 2011, he wrote a stage play, which scooped position one and two for his group at wards and constituency level respectively. He said it was important to set goals and follow them and his motto is to be an “inspiration to those behind you and a threat to those ahead of you.”

In 2013, the group collapsed and he decided to join another theatre group based in Ghanzi after he auditioned and became one of the best actors chosen to join the group.

He has competed with the group on several occasions and people saw his skill and his dream is to see himself acting on a television dramas such as ‘Mareledi’ and making a living out of it. The young actor encouraged other youth to use their God-given talent to earn a living and stop relying on their parents and government programmes. Ends