07 Oct 2024

Wame Waves Theatre Group on October 4 staged the story of Motswasele II through a theatrical production at Maitisong.

By exploring the concept of bogosi, the production aims to promote and preserve Setswana culture and heritage through the art of storytelling and theatrical performance, drawing inspiration from a 1945 book, Motswasele II, the first historical drama written by Botswana author, Leetile Raditladi.

In telling the history of Motswasele II, chief of Bakwena from 1805 to 1822, the production depicted the Battle of Dimawe, which occurred in 1821 near Goo-Manyana in Kweneng District

. The narrative conveys the challenges Motswasele II faced in assuming power, illustrating his youthfulness and the fact that his uncle, Tshosa, was initially designated as his representative. Tragically, Tshosa later murdered Motswasele II at Sokwane in 1822, driven by the belief that he would succeed his father.

In a recent interview, Ishmael Komanyane, founder and executive producer of Wame Waves, stressed the importance of reviving the history that was at  the risk of being forgotten. The formation of Wame Waves stemmed from a dream infused with my passion for theatre,Komanyane shared.

He noted that during this year's Dithubaruba festival, they had communicated with several artists for knowledge sharing. Unfortunately, those artists did not attend, but expressed a keen interest in seeing future performances in their areas, including professionals from The Market Theatre in Johannesburg and Pretoria.

Ezekiel Odubeng, the theatre project manager, highlighted that the cast comprised individuals who were passionate about drama and the arts, alongside alumni from various arts institutions.

"We are building this cluster for long-term outcomes such as employment creation. The sustainability of the initiative is significant, as it is already being utilised in schools," Odubeng explained.

The production also pays homage to the three chiefs commemorated at the monument in the CBD. The team conducted interviews in Molepolole, acknowledging the importance of honouring the village, while featuring performers from various regions across the country.

Most actors in the production are also directors of their own traditional groups, striving to create a platform that parallels renowned South African productions such as Sarafina and The Lion King.

"What I aim for is longevity and strength comparable to those groups," said Odubeng.

He urged corporate entities to support their efforts, noting that schools had already expressed interest for them to stage the play within their institutions. ENDS