03 Oct 2018

Tse Dikgolo House of Theater has the ambition of being the best performing and creative arts outfit in the country by playing a vital role in the development of Botswana.

Speaking in an interview, its leader Ishmael Leshetla, 33, said the group registered in 2010 was undeterred by declining membership from 50 at inception to the current 14.  Some left for permanent employment, he said.

He said the group, whose aim was to serve as a vehicle for motivating the youth to live positive lifestyles, had recorded a number of achievements.

From 2011 to 2015, he said they were funded by the National AIDS Coordinating Agency (NACA) to undertake a nationwide project on behavioural change dubbed O Icheke (examine yourself).

Leshetla said the project was meant to sensitise the youth on the negative effects of having multiple partners as well as to encourage them to abstain at all times.

He said in 2016 they obtained funding from the Ministry of Health and Wellness to carry out a project on sober habits as a way of discouraging the youth from indulging in drugs and alcohol.

Currently, he said Tse Dikgolo House of Theater had partnered with the Motor Vehicle Fund (MVA) on safety awareness campaigns aimed at educating the public on the negative impact of drinking and driving, perpetrated mostly by youth.

Leshetla further said they emerged national champions in the drama category of the 2017 President’s Day competitions breaking the record with 96 per cent, adding that they won the best actor, best actress and best director categories.

He expressed appreciation for the support the group received from society, noting that they got invited to perform as well as to educate communities about the importance of drama.

The group’s other achievement, he said, was the adoption of Letlole and Mmonye primary schools in Mmankgodi where pupils were taught basic drama skills.

He said many had shown interest and perceived it as a career. He said they had coached many on drama such that people now appreciated its importance.

Leshetla also revealed that plans were afoot to shoot a television drama featuring all the youth they had trained as a way of creating employment for them.

He encouraged the youth to never give up and to exercise patience in everything, explaining that hard work and determination were the keys to success. ENDS