How iShowSpeed and Masego rewrote Old Naledi narrative

In his influential book Shadow Cities: A Billion Squatters, a New Urban World, journalist Robert Neuwirth, who spent two years living in squatter communities in Brazil, Kenya, India and Turkey, argues that shanty towns are not merely slums, but vibrant neighbourhoods worthy of exploration and often innovative.
With the recent visit of American YouTuber, Darren Jason Watkins Jr., popularly known as iShowSpeed to Old Naledi some weeks ago during his 28-day, multi-country livestream
tour across Africa, Neuwirth’s argument may well have been proven correct.
Footage captured during Speed’s Old Naledi livestream was arguably t h e m o s t
vibrant of all his stops in Botswana.
On that day, the streets of Old Naledi transformed into stages as the world witnessed the raw
talent and infectious energy from its community members.
One gentleman, using only his t-shirt as a prop, turned an everyday item into part of his choreography, pulling it over his head, dancing with it half on and half off, before
smoothly shrugging it back into place.
The Mafitlhakgosi Dance Group also stole the spotlight, with dancers performing Speed’s
trademark backflips alongside breakdance-inspired moves.
The colourful, high-energy livestream shattered the longheld perception of shanty towns
as spaces defined solely by deprivation and disorder, often viewed as illegal encroachments
waiting to be erased rather than communities worthy
of understanding.
From that same livestream emerged seven-year-old Masego Masepe, the youngest member of
Mafitlhakgosi Dance Group, who also captivated viewers with her remarkable confidence,
something Batswana have increasingly come to admire.
From her viral dance with President Advocate Duma Boko, to her performance alongside
Speed and several other influential figures, Masego’s confidence has consistently shone through.
She effortlessly leads her partners into gentle sways, spins them around, holds their hands and
twirls herself like a ballerina. That same confidence was evident as she patiently taught Speed the marimba, guiding him through the melodies until he got them
right.
In an interview, it became clear that Masego’s confidence is deeply rooted in her environment.
She has been dancing for as long as she can remember.
Born into a family of dancers and creatives from Molepolole, Masego is surrounded by art and
movement.
All four of her siblings dance for Mafitlhakgosi, alongside both parents, Joseph and Kgomotso Masepe.
Masego says she already knows seven dance styles, including Tsutsube, Setapa, Phathisi, Khoba, Hosanna, Morabaraba and Marimba.
“My favourites are Morabaraba, Khoba and Tsutsube,” she said, adding that one of her most
memorable experiences was dancing with President Boko.
She also shared that her favourite subject in Standard 2 is English.
Another contributor to her confidence, she revealed, is her close bond with fellow dancers.
Much of her friendship circle exists within the dance group rather than at school and she prefers spending time with her 11-year-old brother, Otsile Masepe.
Otsile added that their parents are their biggest supporters.
“They encourage us every day, that is why we always step out with confidence,” he said, noting that while practi ces and performances
sometimes fall during the school week, the siblings take turns helping one another with
schoolwork to ensure nothing is
neglected.
Otsile hopes to become an artist in the future, while Masego says dancing is not in the cards for her.
“I want to become a nurse,” she said.
Perhaps she will be both, one or the other, however, young stars like Masego keep helping to rewrite the Old Naledi narrative