04 Sep 2016

 Donald Molotsi, a prolific actor and award winning playwright, recently launched a book titled We Are All Blue.
The book features the life of Botswana’s first president, Sir Seretse Khama and his interracial, transformative marriage.
We Are All Blue is a unique collection of two plays: Motswana: Africa, Dream Again and Blue, Black and White.
In the play, the master storyteller comes out of ‘our’ ranks to tell ‘us’ a compelling story of a couple who kept faith in each other and by their life story taught humanity that all human beings were born equal and that racism was a crime against humanity.
In his key note address, Justice Key Dingake said the book was an amazing sumptuous mix of the life and times of Sir Seretse Khama, contemporary issues in Botswana and Africa, a travelogue of personal musings and reflection that weaves issues of life and governance in a manner that is simply breath-taking.
“The book is phenomenal in its metaphoric richness and dazzling poetic language.
The author takes us on a supersonic tour of our history and current affairs, as a nation and people.  Lucid and moving, this book brings together in one piece the strands of personal and political narratives into the lives of President Seretse and Ruth Khama’s extra ordinary lives,” he said.
Dingake proclaimed the book to be a fitting tribute to president Seretse Khama and Ruth Khama, in addition to being a monument for the nation.
He said Sir Seretse Khama devoted his life to nurturing and developing democracy in Botswana and indeed the whole of Africa, adding Botswana was lucky that its formative stage as a democracy, was led by a consummate democrat who blended cultural values of tolerance, freedom and respect for the law with modern republican values.
“The book has a Pan-African flavour. It raises profound and intricate issues of Africa without boarders, a theme that is consistent, in some respect, with AU’s proclaimed vision for ‘an integrated, prosperous and Peaceful Africa’ which is driven by its citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena”, he said.
On the other hand, Motswana: Africa, Dream Again is the story of Botswana and its people as they transition from a British colony to an independent state.
The play is premiered off-Broadway in 2012 where it won an award at the United Solo Festival, the world’s largest solo theatre festival.
It is written, directed and performed by Molosi and the play has been performed across the US and is on tour in Botswana and South Africa.
It also captures a foreword by former president Quett Masire, a huge honour for Molosi who has managed to break barriers and make a name for himself around the world.
 The volume is a welcome contribution to African drama in English available in the US. ENDS