19 Jun 2025

Two youthful Batswana filmmakers stole the Wildscreen Festival Botswana show with their films and gave viewers an insight of Botswana lifestyle.     

The two female auteurs’ films created during the African School of Storytelling (AFRISOS) expedition filmmaking workshop in Jao village, near the Okavango Delta, reflect a burgeoning creative voice in Botswana's film industry.

The films, When Values Shift by Basezana Monyamane aged 24 and Leaving Home by Rufusiah Molefe, left the 3rd Wildscreen Festival attendees breathtaken.  

They showcased their works alongside their peers from Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya.

Set against the picturesque backdrop of Jao village, adjacent to the Okavango Delta, both films were produced in the local Seyeyi language and supplemented with English subtitles, to enhance the storytelling experience.

When Values Shift, directed by Monyamane, explores themes of personal aspirations and identity within the confines of traditional societal roles. 

In just two minutes and 30 seconds, the film follows a mother of two as she reconciles her ambitions with societal expectations surrounding her traditional craft of basket weaving.

It addresses several significant themes, such as change in personal values.

The protagonist's evolution illustrates the prioritisation of dreams over societal pressures, stimulating discussions about personal reassessment of values.

Monyamane said she also wanted to include cultural transformation as the narrative depicted a shifting cultural landscape, reinforcing the notion that traditional crafts did not have to define one's entire identity or contribution to society.

Monyamane highlights the journey of self-discovery and passion as a means of empowerment, urging viewers to reflect on their definitions of personal fulfillment.

The film is also designed to have an impact on the family and community.

“The protagonist’s changing values also reflect on family dynamics, emphasising how redefining one’s aspirations can influence the lives of children and community members,”she added.

She explained that the film delivered a potent message about evolving personal identity, embracing change and the importance of following one's own path.

On the other hand, Leaving Home, directed by Molefe, draws on the beauty of the Okavango Delta to foster a deep connection to nature.

Molefe’s film follows Oarabile Xhao, a talented young poler, known as Yamaya, who yearns to transcend his status as a ‘master of the delta’.

As he ventures beyond familiar waters, he faces the risk of losing himself amid his ambitions.

An actor from Thokolosi, a Tswana drama remarked that Molefe's film poignantly encapsulated the tension between ambition and the strong ties to one’s origins. Letsoma La Tshipi expressed that through their films, Monyamane and Molefe not only showcased talent but also emphasised the transformative power of storytelling in their communities.

La Tshipi, who was known as Ford in Thokolosi, noted that the film industry was still in its infancy in Botswana, but expressed excitement at witnessing young talent, particularly females like Monyamane and Molefe, carving their pathways in a traditionally male-dominated field.

He commended the two filmmakers for producing high-quality visuals that were not only technically proficient, but also relevant to the narratives they were telling. Their creations, he remarked, demonstrated the potential of Botswana's film industry to evolve and thrive, driven by fresh perspectives and voices. 

Director of Inconnet from Tanzania, Wanjira Maina noted that their works reflected a rich cultural heritage while sparking critical conversations about identity, aspirations, and the complexities of relationships that defined human experiences.

She said the efforts of Monyamane, Molefe and the other three from Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia, resulted in impactful narratives that illuminated the evolving identities and aspirations of contemporary Batswana. 

Their storytelling traverses complex themes of personal values, cultural expectations, and intrinsic connections to their homeland.

She explained that Monyamane's, When Values Shift, encouraged viewers to ponder a mother’s transformative journey in pursuit of self-empowerment, while Molefe’s, Leaving Home, tackled the emotional conflicts of a young poler balancing ambition with a connection to his roots.

“Together, these films celebrate Botswana's rich cultural heritage, fostering vital discussions on change, identity, and personal satisfaction. They serve as a testament to the powerful role of film in weaving narratives that resonate with universal themes of growth and the bond between individuals and their environment,” she said. Through their contributions, the two not only inspire their contemporaries but also lay a foundation for future storytellers, leaving an enduring impression on the landscape of African cinema. ENDS