17 Mar 2026

Born in Otse, a village nestled among the hills of Mmalladiepe, Mannyelanong, and the famed Lentswe La Baratani (Mountain of Lovers), Elsie Ntshonono has grown into one of Botswana’s dynamic voices in theatre, education, and broadcasting.

Her journey in stage theatre began in 2001 under the mentorship of Prophet Joel Keitumele alias ‘Ntsoro’, who introduced her to the foundations of acting, stage discipline, and performance.

“Under his mentorship, I developed confidence and discovered the powerful role that storytelling plays in shaping minds and inspiring communities,” Ntshonono recalled.

Her passion for communication deepened under her former teacher, Kristian Mmusi, who trained her in public speaking and debate. 

This mentorship sharpened her ability to think critically, engage audiences, and appreciate the transformative power of communication.

One defining moment came when she portrayed the character Beauty, a role that revealed to her that the arts were not only about performance but also about education, storytelling, and empowerment. 

This realisation inspired her to script children’s literature, write short stories, and produce educational content for television and radio.

Beyond acting and writing, Ntshonono expanded into the corporate space as a Master of Ceremonies (MC) and motivational speaker, using storytelling to inspire diverse audiences. 

Her profession as a teacher has been equally pivotal.

“Every day in the classroom feels like an audition, not for personal recognition, but for the opportunity to identify and nurture young talent,” she said.

Ntshonono mentors learners in public speaking, debate, talk shows, news anchoring, and television reporting. One of her proudest achievements she said was coaching students who won first position at the Southern Africa Broadcasting Summit 2025 in Lesotho.

Her creative outreach extends to music education, in collaboration with the Arts Trust Council, encouraging children to explore instruments and performing arts. 

She also founded a distinctive day-care and babysitting centre, blending the Montessori curriculum with STEM education and literacy readiness to foster independence and creativity from an early age.

Looking ahead, Ntshonono said she was preparing to launch a children’s television talk show, a platform designed to amplify young voices, showcase talent, and develop broadcasting skills.

Ultimately, her journey, from stage theatre to education, broadcasting, and early childhood development, has been driven by a singular vision: to use the arts, education, and media as powerful tools to empower young people, nurture creativity, and help children discover their voices as they shape the future. ENDS