02 Jul 2025

Oratile Kebakile has made history by lending her voice to the first-ever Disney film narrated entirely in Setswana, bringing Disney Nature’s Elephant to life for local audiences at its African premiere during the recent Wildscreen Film Festival. in Maun.

Originally released in 2020 and narrated in English by the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, Elephant has now been translated into Setswana. Kebakile, a celebrated Motswana creative known for her work in radio broadcasting, advertising, and as the voice behind a popular cellular network call centre line (123), was chosen to narrate the localised version of the film.

“It’s a tremendous milestone for Setswana-speaking creatives and audiences who have longed to hear their mother tongue in films that tell stories about our natural heritage,” said Kebakile.

She co-translated the script with Isaiah Mwesi of Elephants Without Borders, infusing the narration with her own heartfelt interpretation.

Participating in this landmark project signifies more than just a career highlight for the local talent, as it is a step forward in diversifying the African wildlife filmmaking landscape.  

“It was an exciting experience to be part of the real-time transformation of the nature and wildlife filmmaking space in Africa. This opportunity helped amplify the visibility of African talent in the sector and opened doors for future collaborations,” said Kebakile.

The hour-long documentary follows Shani, a majestic African elephant, and her spirited son, Jomo as they embark on an epic migration from the Okavango Delta to the Zambezi River, retracing the footsteps of countless elephant generations before them.

“The film also explores the unique nature of these magnificent creatures. They are incredibly intelligent, deeply social and fiercely loyal. Qualities that shine through in their journey,” Kebakile explained.

Set against the backdrop of Botswana’s rarely seen landscapes, the film immerses viewers in the breath taking beauty of the country, globally recognised as a premier safari destination and home to the largest elephant population in the world. 

Through Kebakile’s narration, audiences are guided through Botswana’s vibrant natural ecosystems and the harmonious relationship between wildlife and their environment.

Kebakile expressed heartfelt gratitude to AfriScreen Films, the Maun-based production company specialising in natural history storytelling, for entrusting her with this ground-breaking role.

“It feels amazing to say I’ve worked with some of the best professionals in the industry on this film,” she said.

The Setswana version of Elephant is slated to air on Botswana Television, with the official broadcast date yet to be announced. ENDS