14 Sep 2026

Botswana’s story comes alive through dance and storytelling in Mophato: Botswana’s Story Told in Dance, a photography book by photographer, film producer, writer and storyteller Thalefang Charles.

A National Geographic Explorer whose work focuses on celebrating Botswana’s heritage through impactful visual stories, Charles is no stranger to photography book compilation. He previously published Botswana’s Top 50 Ultimate Experiences, a photography guidebook.

Inspired by the 15th anniversary of Mophato Dance Theatre, the book offers a star-studded peek behind-the-scenes look at the celebrated dance group, its stage productions and the creative process behind them. It also features interviews with cast members and snippets of media reviews of the productions.

Among the productions featured are Pula, Borwa, Teemane, Thari, Inyaya and A Re Yeng Botswana.

Charles’ interest in documenting Mophato began after watching its Pula production in 2016.

In the book, he invites readers to explore what he describes as the “deep, sacred secrets” of Batswana, to discover a national heirloom silently passed down through generations by the ancestors who made Botswana their home.

The book also explores how one becomes a member of the celebrated dance theatre group, drawing on interviews with cast members from its various productions.

Its visual narrative captures candid, raw and often unglamorous moments from the performers’ lives.

Through carefully selected photographs, readers are invited to experience the rhythm and energy of Mophato’s performances, transforming frozen moments of dancers immersed in song into a sense of movement.

“Through this book, readers will be able to learn about the power of dance as a form of storytelling. And the readers will learn about Botswana and perhaps what it means to be a Motswana,” Charles said.

Featuring a foreword by Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe, the collection examines vulnerability, transformation and the tension inherent in performance.

Charles also explores the relationship between theatre and photography, demonstrating how the two art forms complement each other and deepen the understanding of performance.

The book further examines the theory and practice of photographing theatre and performance, making it a useful reference for those interested in documenting the performing arts.

With limited text and a strong emphasis on photographic series, the book is accessible and visually engaging.

The images span different stages of production and illustrate the memories and experiences Charles presents.

Mophato: Botswana’s Story Told in Dance is available for purchase at local bookstores and on request at P700. ENDS