01 Dec 2016

Local film industry is about to take to greater heights as numerous producers recently tendered for the supply of local content at the Botswana Television.

   Among the many hopefuls are the Moipolai ga lelelwe drama series producers.

The producers, together with actors in the film, sponsors and the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development met in Mogoditshane recently to celebrate the completion of 13 episodes of drama series, share their experiences and map a way forward.

A production accountant in the film industry, Tsaone Matlho said Moipolai ga lelelwe was meant to draw attention of the audience to the outcome of alcohol and drug abuse not only in the home, but society too.

 He said they had observed and came to the conclusion that alcohol and drug abuse were the root cause of problems like domestic violence, road accidents, increasing sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies among many vices.

“We therefore decided to come up with a film that would sensitise Batswana of the dangers of substance abuse. In the film we expose how substance abuse affects families, performance at work, children’s performance at school and all the other ills that come with it,” he said.

Further, he said the team wants to take youth out of streets by creating employment.

“It is for this reason that actors were picked from the streets as long as they showed potential.  Most importantly producers want to build the local entertainment industry which still has a long way to go,” he said.

Alex Ratsoma who plays Thabo the lawyer in the drama said the film captures how relationships in the home, the workplace and in society in general breakdown due to alcohol abuse.

 “It also captures how some youths come from villages to further their studies but end up in alcohol abuse and inter-generational sexual relationships,” he said.

He is hopeful that many would be glued to the screen once Moipolai ga lelelwe airs.

 “You will enjoy the film before you get the message. That is how it is supposed to be,” he said.

The Moipolai ga lelelwe drama series producer, Otsile Manyatsa said it was lack of employment that got him thinking of how he could change his situation.

Then, he said he came up with the concept of film production. He said he then approached My Star producers, who had since come on board to assist in the production of the film.

As they had no money, the team knocked on many doors, and Prestige Carriers, a messenger and transport services company, came to their rescue by offering transport and catering services.

The principal programmes officer at the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Kefentse Phoi said film production was one of the initiatives that could create employment for the youth though they were challenged by the high production cost that comes with it.  

He said productions like this were supported by the minstry fund which was previously known as the arts and culture fund.

He said Moipolai ga lelelwe producers came to his office for funding, but could not give them the figure they had asked for due to a tight budget, but pledged to continue with financial support and advice where necessary.

He encouraged youth to come up with solid quality productions that speaks against substance abuse, violence, poor performance at work and promotes culture.

Programmes officer at the ministry, Moatlhodi Phetogo encouraged the private sector to support the film industry as government could not do it alone.

He commended Prestige Carriers and Dudubrook Quilting Loft saying that they had done well to support the production of Moipolai ga lelelwe drama series.

“It is difficult for a sponsor to support a grassroots person. So I really commend you for having invested on emerging artists. This is what corporate social responsibility is about,” he said.

He further urged the youth to partner up with others who had already been funded for other projects like software engineering to produce quality work together. This can also bridge gaps where resources are lacking. ENDS