Category: Arts & Culture

Mophato Dance Theatre women bared it all on Friday night in a performance that aimed to raise awareness on gender-based violence (GBV) through theatre.THARI, a theatre production that seeks to raise awareness about violence against women, opened on Thursday at UB Old Student Centre; returning after six years, with fresh creations and new faces. Conceptualised and directed by the revered Andrew Kola, THARI gives the audience a powerful storytelling with suggestive yet haunting choreography by Kalima ‘Lima’ Mipata. The poetic multi-award-winning author Lame Pusetso perfected the production with her rhythmical creative poet expertise.Introducing a multi-talented creative, Lentle Baitshoki who portrays a brutally raped woman and the perpetrator played by Dampi Mothupi, all of them crafted a contemporary dance theatre production that represented the fear that women face and strength that is a woman.Using monologues and live dance performances, the 90-minute production highlighted the resilience of women and promoted solidarity and healing. THARI went beyond and encompassed mental fortitude, nurturing qualities and the courage to bounce back after setbacks.In an interview with Kola, he said they refreshed the production to commemorate International Women’s Day. “We had to revive it, and give our audience a fresh production after six years. The music is also different, we only have two songs from the previous production, the rest is new material,” said Kola.On the multi-talented creative Baitshoki, Kola said he discovered her from TikTok and introduced her to theatre. “I did not anticipate that she will love it, but she does and is a very powerful performer who is going far with her craft,” said Kola who also hinted the return of PULA: The Musical.

A funeral date for Gabriel ‘Phunya’ Modise, who passed on at the age of 44 is yet to be determined.This is according to family spokesperson, Oduetse Mphahudi, who also stated that Modise would be buried in Gaborone.His memorial service is scheduled for the Amphitheatre, Mass Media Complex at 2pm, with a themed dress code of white sneakers and headgear.A Matsiloje native, Modise was celebrated in the theatre space, a theatre director who served as an artistic director at Tsoga Africa Theatre Works.He was known for his passion and determination in shaping stories that would live on for generations.His contribution to the arts was remarkable and impactful, earning him a reputation as a true icon in Botswana’s creative community. Modise was dedicated to creating a theatre industry in Botswana that promoted employment and addressed national concerns.He directed notable productions among them, The Briefcase, which aimed to break down the complexities of the national budget speech and focused on social welfare issues affecting Batswana. Besides The Briefcase, he is also credited for The Rising Son, a play depicting the struggles of growing up in Botswana since 1966 and the challenges faced by African men. His other play, Border Lines, showcases the life of tribes along the Botswana-South Africa border, focusing on two brothers separated by the border.The multi-talented Modise was a poetic storyteller whom some would remember in the award-winning Broadway production PULA: The Musical, where his narration of the play captivated audiences across the globe.He was also a television presenter, renowned traditional song and dance artist and a soloist. Modise died March 28 after a short illness.

Through emotional language evoking deeper meanings, Gaone Mogae’s poetry book titled From Their Lips to Mine, confronts the hidden wounds of the society, touching on somewhat challenging issues.

Her poetry collection cautions and raises alarm for action on challenging societal issues such as abuse, rape, gender-based violence (GBV), exploitation of power, and by so doing transforming silence into testimony. 

“Initially, I wrote poetry inspired by stories I encountered on social media. I never imagined I would live through them myself. Now the words carry my own pain,” she reflected.

What began as distant narratives has become deeply personal, as she too has endured the social ills she writes about. Born in Nlaphwane and an alumna of the University of Botswana, Mogae observed that GBV had reached unprecedented level in the country.

“Every week there is a murder or an attempted murder. Yet we skirt around these issues. We cannot solve them by sweeping them under the carpet,” said a communications and community relations specialist, who is also an admirer of the works by Lord Byron and William Shakespeare.

She has therefore, realised the urgent need to tell stories rooted in Botswana’s realities, stories that inspire positive change, stories that future generations can recognise as part of their history. As someone who has personally experienced abuse, Mogae called for change.

 “The system is failing victims. We need reforms and policies that truly protect victims of abuse” she emphasised.

Her poetry book is intended to spark conversations about the elephant in the room, a societal ill which covers criminal acts of rape, sexual molestation, abortion, and other taboo and culture relating subjects that Batswana often whisper about but rarely gets confronted.

 From Their Lips to Mine is for sale in the global market with its copies having reached Namibia, Zambia, Kenya, South Africa, the Amazon site, the UK and the Library of Congress in the United States. 

Through emotional language evoking deeper meanings, Gaone Mogae’s poetry book titled From Their Lips to Mine, confronts the hidden wounds of the society, touching on somewhat challenging issues.

Her poetry collection cautions and raises alarm for action on challenging societal issues such as abuse, rape, gender-based violence (GBV), exploitation of power, and by so doing transforming silence into testimony. 

“Initially, I wrote poetry inspired by stories I encountered on social media. I never imagined I would live through them myself. Now the words carry my own pain,” she reflected.

What began as distant narratives has become deeply personal, as she too has endured the social ills she writes about. Born in Nlaphwane and an alumna of the University of Botswana, Mogae observed that GBV had reached unprecedented level in the country.

“Every week there is a murder or an attempted murder. Yet we skirt around these issues. We cannot solve them by sweeping them under the carpet,” said a communications and community relations specialist, who is also an admirer of the works by Lord Byron and William Shakespeare.

She has therefore, realised the urgent need to tell stories rooted in Botswana’s realities, stories that inspire positive change, stories that future generations can recognise as part of their history. As someone who has personally experienced abuse, Mogae called for change.

 “The system is failing victims. We need reforms and policies that truly protect victims of abuse” she emphasised.

Her poetry book is intended to spark conversations about the elephant in the room, a societal ill which covers criminal acts of rape, sexual molestation, abortion, and other taboo and culture relating subjects that Batswana often whisper about but rarely gets confronted.

 From Their Lips to Mine is for sale in the global market with its copies having reached Namibia, Zambia, Kenya, South Africa, the Amazon site, the UK and the Library of Congress in the United States. 

For travellers seeking tranquillity, abundant wildlife sightings and an authentic experience away from crowded tourist hotspots, Nxai Pan National Park stands out as an iconic destination worth exploring.

Situated along the Nata-Maun road in northern Botswana, the park features vast open landscapes of fossilised salt pans, grassy plains and acacia woodlands. This unique environment makes it an exceptional safari destination, particularly during the rainy season when wildlife congregates around water sources.

Visitors to the park can expect sightings of a wide range of species, including zebras, springbok, gemsbok, giraffes, lions, wildebeest, elephants and wild dogs. The area is also renowned for its striking scenery, highlighted by the famous Baines Baobabs, which provide some of the most picturesque landscapes in the country.

Despite its beauty, Nxai Pan remains one of Botswana’s lesser-visited parks, making it a true hidden gem for travellers seeking off-the-beaten-track experiences. Its relative quietness enhances the sense of exclusivity and immersion in nature.

The park’s wildlife is particularly impressive, with large populations of animals gathering during the wet season. The zebra migration, accompanied by herds of wildebeest and springbok, creates dramatic scenes, often alongside heightened predator activity. Waterholes frequently attract multiple species at once, offering excellent game viewing opportunities that leave lasting impressions on visitors.

Accessible yet unspoiled, the park is best explored through 4×4 game drives across its expansive terrain. For those seeking a deeper connection with nature, camping under the stars provides an unforgettable experience in the African wilderness.

While many first-time visitors to Botswana often prioritise destinations such as the Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve, Nxai Pan offers equally rewarding wildlife encounters, along with a quieter and more intimate setting. 

With recent flooding affecting parts of these more popular areas, Nxai Pan has become an attractive alternative for accessible game viewing during the wet season. Nxai Pan Park manager, Mr Modiri Mogopa, said in an interview that the park receives an average of over 20,000 visitors annually, significantly fewer than Moremi Game Reserve.

“This park is also well known as one of the routes for the zebra migration from the Okavango and Chobe areas into the Boteti and Makgadikgadi Pans in search of fresh grazing,” he said.

At the heart of the park lie seven large Baines Baobabs, located about 30 kilometres from the main entrance. Estimated to be around 1,000 years old and reaching up to 20 metres in height, the trees were named after explorer and artist Thomas Baines, who painted them in 1862. They stand on the edge of Kudiakam Pan, a salt pan that fills with water during the rainy season and becomes a prime spot for birdwatching.

The park also offers a range of facilities, including a campground operated by Xomae Group, a lodge run by Kwando Safaris, and campsites managed by the Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB) and the Botswana Guides Association.

Providing historical context, Mr Mogopa explained that the park formed part of the prehistoric Makgadikgadi Lake system, which once covered much of the region. Originally declared a game reserve in 1970, the area was expanded in 1992 with the inclusion of Kudiakam Pan and subsequently designated a national park.

A documentary celebrating Botswana’s iconic Tsodilo Hills has returned home following a successful international debut in New York City.

Tsodilo: The Jewel of the Desert premiered locally on Tuesday at the Botswana National Museum and Monuments, marking 25 years since the site was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Produced by Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) and directed by Sosena Solomon, the documentary was first screened at The Met on May 31 last year, where it has since attracted an audience of over two million viewers.

Often referred to as the “Louvre of the Desert,” Tsodilo Hills is renowned for its profound spiritual and cultural importance to the San and Hambukushu communities. 

The film captures this significance while showcasing more than 4 500 rock paintings created over tens of thousands of years across the site’s towering quartzite formations.The artworks, many of them finger-painted, depict animals such as giraffes, cattle and rhinos, as well as rare therianthropic (human-animal hybrid) figures that reflect a deep spiritual relationship between people and their environment.

Through interviews with anthropologists, archaeologists and local experts, the documentary also highlights the urgent need for preservation. The paintings are increasingly threatened by natural elements such as sun, wind and rain, as well as human interference. In some cases, attempts by locals to “revive” the artworks for spiritual purposes have unintentionally accelerated their deterioration.

Speaking at the premiere, Solomon said filmmaking was a powerful tool for cultural preservation.

“When this project was introduced to me, it was incredible to use my skills to tell these stories and explore heritage that many people are not aware of,” she said.

Meanwhile, Alisa LaGamma, curator in charge of the Michael C. Rockefeller Wing at The Met, emphasised the global importance of Tsodilo Hills.

“It is the place where the visual arts begin. Tsodilo is a treasure that preserves evidence of early attempts to capture something magical,” she said.

LaGamma added that the film is accessible to visitors at The Met and on digital platforms such as YouTube. She also confirmed that Botswana’s Department of National Museum and Monuments has been granted full rights to distribute and use the film.

The documentary is scheduled to tour Shakawe and Tsodilo Hills starting Friday, bringing the story closer to the communities at the heart of its heritage. 

With only 12 contestants remaining in the Miss Botswana 2026 competition, the road to the coveted crown has entered its final stretch, buoyed by corporate support after Lucara Botswana pledged P500 000 to the pageant and an additional P600 000 to Change Africa to support initiatives aimed at empowering women ahead of the grand finale on Saturday.

Speaking at the handover ceremony in Gaborone Monday, Lucara Botswana managing director, Naseem Lahri said the sponsorships marked the continuation of their strategic partnership with the Miss Botswana organisation as well as continued commitment to supporting initiatives that promoted women’s empowerment, leadership development and social impact.

She highlighted that the renewal of their partnership with Miss World Botswana aimed to empower and uplift young Batswana women who were poised as the best exporters of Botswana’s beauty and culture on the international platform while the funding allocated to Change Africa, a social enterprise that supported innovative entrepreneurship and thought leadership development, would help advance a pilot programme in Maun aimed at uplifting and teaching women how to grow crops, rear animals, and to sustain themselves and the community, while building entrepreneurial skills.

The programme titled, Tshwaragano Young Mothers Development Centre, is a women led 10-hectare agricultural and enterprise hub of which Lahri noted complimented her organisation’s commitment of empowering women.

In addition, Change Africa Founder, Kaene Disepo, said that the centre was also a childcare facility, a wellness space, and a GBV awareness hub.

“We understand that a young mother cannot build an enterprise if she has nowhere safe to leave her child,” said Disepe adding that the centre would train and empower fifty young mothers as well as create five permanent jobs and approximately 20 seasonal roles, all prioritising women and youth in Maun.

Meanwhile, Miss World Botswana Organisation director, Benjamin Raletsatsi, expressed gratitude to Lucara Botswana’ commitment to supporting initiatives that promoted women’s empowerment. 

He stated that the growth of the organisation was owed to Lucara’s continued support.

The prestigious Miss Botswana Grand Finale is scheduled to take place at Molapo Creative Hub under the theme: Diamond Jubilee, as part of the 60^th Botswana Independence national celebrations. 

Top 12 finalists set to strut it out for the crown are: Casey Esmeraldo, Abale Matsoma, Miss Mochudi BW District Winner Thando Makhoba, Talent Competition Winner Mosa Gontshwanetse, Kgalalelo Lentebanye, Sports Challenge Winner Michelle Bagoleng, Gaselesire Phalanyane, Head-to-Head Challenge Winner Angelah Phuthego, Magdeline Modipane, Ogaufi Seakgo, Top Model Winner Thabiso Segokgo as well as Kimberly Kotewa.

As the United States of America celebrates its 250^th independence anniversary this year, the US embassy in Gaborone will mark this historic milestone with events that showcase America’s journey, its enduring values, and the remarkable individuals who shaped the country’s destiny.

To kick-start those activities, the embassy screened Hamilton movie to invited guests on Thursday. Hamilton, is a blend of hip-hop, jazz and RnB with Broadway musical theatre style by Lin-Manuel with focus to Alexander Hamilton, one of America’s extraordinary leaders, and it also introduces the audience to other leaders such as George Washington, Aaron Burr, the Marquis de Lafayette and James Madison.

Hamilton is a blending history with artistry, capturing the spirit of ambition, resilience, and hope that defined the founding era. The film centres around one of America’s extraordinary leaders, Alexander Hamilton who was a driving force behind the creation of America’s Constitution and financial system as a lawyer and Secretary of the Treasury and also considered a war hero and brilliant thinker.

The movie covers a wide span of American history, from the Revolution to the first administrations of the new government. It highlights important moments and the role of Alexander Hamilton, who believed in strong government led by capable elites and that government should use its power to develop the economy and maintain order. In the film, his economic plan shows how he supported an urban America with developed manufacturing.

An immigrant to the US, born in British West Indies, Hamilton opposed slavery as shown in the film, and the production shows that later in his career he supported anti-immigration policies.

“Immigration played a significant role in building the colonial population, mostly from Western Europe, and it was only just before the Revolution that people began to identify as Americans rather than by their birth nations,” said US Deputy Public Affairs officer Megan Boccardi about the movie.

The US Deputy Chief of Mission Christopher Gunning appealed for reflection on the enduring principles of liberty, self-governance and unity as well as the sacrifices made, then and now, to advance those principles as America celebrates Freedom 250.

The two-hour original Broadway musical production is available for streaming on YouTube and Disney. It has won multiple awards including a Grammy, Pulitzer Prize for Drama as well as an unprecedented special citation from Kennedy Centre Honors. 

The Association of Schools Performing Arts (ABOSPA), in partnership with the University of Botswana (UB), will tomorrow host the Performing Arts Charity Festival 2026 in aid to the Pudulogong Rehabilitation Centre for the Blind in Mochudi.

The event will take place at the UB Indoor Sports Centre in Gaborone. ABOSPA president, Gobuamang Bakwena, said the Pudulogong Live Band would share the stage with last year’s ABOSPA champions. The festival will also feature a wide range of performances, including UB’s live band, drama, chorale, poetry, and traditional song and dance.

“Other groups include Gaborone University College (drama and live band), Regent International School (marimba band, poetry, and back track), Ngami Junior Secondary School (traditional song and dance), Botswana Accountancy College from Francistown (chorale and drama), Mogoditshane Senior Secondary School (chorale), and Kgatleng Brigade’s poetry team, among many others,” announced Bakwena.

The guest speaker will be Prophet Joel Keitumele, popularly known as Ntsoro. Bakwena stated that proceeds from the festival would go toward purchasing new instruments for the Pudulogong Live Band.

“Instruments such as drum sets need to be replaced or repaired. Our goal is to refurbish their equipment so they can continue to dazzle audiences and earn a living through music, as they once did,” he said.

The Pudulogong Live Band has a rich legacy, having nurtured celebrated local artistes such as the late Donald ‘Don B’ Botshelo (of Bananyana ba Serowe and Bana ba di Dotcom fame), Annah Fike, Ey Brizzy (renowned for the hit Elizabeth), and Lentswe La Botlhokwa Pono, among others.

“As associations of arts, we found it fitting to extend a helping hand to Pudulogong Rehabilitation Centre. We hope to sustain the band’s legacy and inspire new generations of blind students to follow in the footsteps of these legends,” Bakwena added.

He appealed to citizens and well-wishers to support the initiative, noting that tickets were still available.

After successfully landing songwriting credits with a K-Pop boy band, idntt, on their chart-topping album, yesw8are, which surpassed 430 000 sales within a week of its release, Motswana creative Kago Mokubung, better known as Keigo Wav, is now opening up about the process behind the breakthrough.

For many aspiring songwriters, the dream of writing for international artistes can feel distant. However, Wav is proving that with the right strategy, discipline, and global outlook, the gap can be bridged, even from thousands of kilometres away.

In an interview, the 29-year-old Pilikwe-born songwriter shared that his journey with idntt, an upcoming 24-member K-pop boy group formed by Modhaus Entertainment, began during a virtual songwriting camp, where songwriters, producers, and artistes from different places worked together online to create songs.

Mokubung shared that Modhaus CEO, Jaden Jeong, spotted him then and thereafter asked him to compose a song for idntt as part of the group’s five-track album, which got released in January.

“I wrote the song and titled it Yes We Are, and it went on to be picked as the group’s official anthem and also made the album title,” said Wav, describing the experience as humbling.

Mokubung explained that his journey dates back to the COVID-19 era, when he learnt to take full advantage of digital platforms to advance his craft. His passion lies in pop music and reaching the Asian market. Although he has already written songs for local artistes such as Thato Jessica, Love in September and others, Wav admitted that his pop sound had not always resonated with fellow music producers or artistes locally.

“But I felt so sure about what I was doing that I did not give up, despite some discouraging comments,” he said.

He also noted that the breakthrough was not sheer luck but success built on patience, networking, and mastering the art of songwriting. Armed with a degree in Sound Engineering from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology Botswana, he has invested in honing his skills academically and by producing songs for local radio Dj’s and artistes alike.

He would thereafter cross borders digitally to work with Universal Music Thailand/Briq Entertainment, composing a debut single for their artiste, D-NA, titled BYE BYE.  The budding artiste has also collaborated with many international publishers from Korea, such as Solcire Publishing, StupidSquad Publishing, and others from Europe, including DWB/ARC, LineOut from Sweden, and more.

“The industry thrives on collaboration, so the work is intense, but it is also good for making friendships and networking,” said Keigo Wav adding that in the future, a lot more should be expected from his international collaborations.

He was optimistic that he would one day write for internationally acclaimed boy bands such as BTS. Breaking into the global K-Pop industry is no small feat, even for seasoned songwriters; thus, Keigo Wav underscores that aspiring local artistes who wish to access the global market need to aim for creative works that are undeniably competitive and unique.

His track with idntt, which blends sounds ranging from hip hop and Afrobeat to even punk rock, even though they are a pop group, is a good point of reference.

“Talent exists here in Botswana; however, to make it, artists need to work hard, sacrifice, take ownership of their work, and leverage digital spaces,” he said.