16 Oct 2016

 Mokhomma village is approximately 30km towards the south of Jwaneng. Most of the youth are unemployed and depend solely on Ipelegeng for survival.
   However, some of the youngster s in the area are not idling. Rather, they are turning their misfortunes into money making opportunities.
The passionate trio of Boipelo Ntwaetsile, Mogomotsi Segoletsile and Kitso Ralongabi made up their mind that they will never let their village go unnoticed, hence they formed Masaasele Theatre Group ,which dramatises social ills and easily preaches the message of behavioural change among Batswana especially in Mokhomma.
The group is made up of 15 members who are eager to nurture their talent in drama and stage performance.
It all started as a dream in 2008. Today, the group is a force to reckon with among drama fanatics especially in the Jwaneng/Mabutsane constituency.
They first entered the President’s Art Competitions in 2011 and they had improved over the years to display unsung talent from rural dwellers.
In 2013, the group scoop position three in the constituency. In 2014, they won the first prize and headed for the finals in Gaborone to represent the Jwaneng/Mabutsane constituency.
The group, however lost their title last year to Talent City group of Jwaneng, but came out strong in 2016 to claim their trophy back in the recently held Constituency Art Competitions and went home with P5 000.
The group narrated a dramatic story of rehabilitation in Botswana Prisons and the importance of accepting ex-convicts back into the society after serving their prison terms.
Their actions, creativity and ability to engage with their audience won the hearts of the panel of adjudicators.
One of the group founders,  Ntwaetsile said their efforts to reduce unemployment in Mokhomma through artistic excellence were bearing fruits and they intend to continue making a living through drama.
She said they had instilled confidence in other members that talent could put food on the table.
Another member, Segoletsile also explained that they were known for reducing their audience to tears or even to laughter during functions in their small village and surrounding settlements.
He emphasised that it was not enough and they need more tenders that would improve their livelihoods as most of them were unemployed.
He singled out lack of funding as one of their challenges, saying with sponsorship, they see themselves as a hub for employment creation in Mokhomma.
He pointed out that they wish to diversify the economy of their village through drama and further recruit more youth to fight social ills such as alcohol abuse, crime and HIV/AIDS.
“We are working hard to make the best out of our talent and we plead with companies to come forth and sponsor us with transport and attire to fulfil our purpose. We see beyond challenges and we want to put our small village in the map through our talent,” said Ralongapi. ENDS