08 Aug 2017

In life some people are blessed with innumerable talent that has become their mode of survival.

They use their talent and flair bestowed on them to make a living for themselves and their families without endangering their lives.

Monkgogi Ntshwareng, a songwriter, playwright, choreographer and coach shares these same sentiments. Even though he is currently engaged in song writing, his first love is theatre. All in all he is a jack of all trades.

Born in 1985 in Maun, the young man said that he used the title ‘‘artist director” to sum what he does best.

He believes that he was born  to be an instructor, a life coach as well as a mentor to upcoming artists and lost souls especially those doing theatre and other forms of music like “dikhwaere.”

Speaking in an interview recently, Ntshwareng noted that his love and passion for song writing and theatre production began whilst he was in primary school. He grew up with an urge to learn more about performing arts so he extorted all angles and joined the drama club and the school choir to inflate his talent to greater heights.

After he completed his Form Five at Maun Secondary School in 2005, he decided to turn his passion into a turnover. He joined various clubs such as the Delta House of Theatre and Radijo investment as an actor. A year later, he decided to be on his own.

‘‘There was an innate voice inside me that told me I had the ability to do more to change the lives of the youths’ looking at the high rate of unemployment in our region. I wanted them to reach out to their dreams and realise there is more to life than what meets the eye. I also wanted them to realise their potential. Performing arts is another way of soothing one’s shattered soul,” he said.

That is where Ntshwareng’s life plan began. He emphasised much on grooming and mentoring young individuals in certain aspects like; coaching poetry, proper execution and writing of songs and poems, acting as well as choreography.

“Writing exposed me to various work opportunities. I was able to get involved in numerous projects in non-governmental organisations (NGO) like Botswana Family Welfare Association (BOFWA) and Tebelopele, teaching about sexual reproductive health through drama.

All in all, Ntshwareng believes that through this projects he was able to analyse social ills from the deep roots rather than looking at a problem from the surface.

Currently, Ntshwareng is scripting songs for a group called “Fire Choir” in Shakawe who resonate a typical contemporary dikhwaere which is a form of singing that was sang in the olden days during dinner time.

However the group sings in a modern twist. He noted that he met the group coincidentally when they entered a singing competition back in 2014 and they took the last position.

He took pity on them and decided to coach them since he believed they had potential. Fast-forward to 2016, Fire Choir is a known dominating choir in the whole of Okavango, They are known for their zest to execute and utter songs with great enthusiasm and vigorous manner. Since 2014, the group entered President’s day competitions and they always scoped position one at ward level.

Ntshwareng highlighted that writing was never an easy task. One has to be fully armed with knowledge especially about what is happening around them. They also have to familiarise themselves with current affairs. However, he noted that his main inspiration is culture.

“Culture is marketable, and it is equally relevant in today’s diversified climate. There are a lot of angles that needs to be explored about culture. The youngsters of today know little about where they come from. Therefore I emphasise much on dissemination of culture when I am producing a song as well as in theatre,” he noted.

Other factors he uses are; the concept, content of material, style of presentation and character. Ntshwareng stresses that team work between a coach and his learners was equally important.

The students have to be comfortable enough to bring any idea or suggestion in the table without any distress. He sighted an example about Fire Choir, the group hardly engages in immoral activities like drinking nor smokes. They work together in harmony without any misunderstanding, if there are any, they deal with the problem amicably.

“I consider myself a life coach. I teach my students life skills as well as behavioural emphasis. I take them under my wing and nurture their talent so that they can be responsible artists of tomorrow. Some of my efforts are bearing fruits-most of my students are successful actors, comedians, and singers,” said Ntshwareng.

Ntshwareng encouraged fellow youth to be the master of their own destiny. To take their lives in their hands and use their God-given talent to better their lives. He also hailed the government of Botswana through the Ministry of Youth Empowerment Sports and Culture Development for nurturing and supporting talent in various competitions like the annual President’s day Competition, My Star and My African Dream Talent Show. BOPA