09 Oct 2018

 Makepe Tales, a 12-episode Setswana animation comedy cartoon, is ready to hit local screens.

Its creator, Oageng Lemogang, also known as Ras Logic, is confident in the project that started as a concept in 2009 while studying for a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies at the University of Botswana.

He said in 2010 he started writing scripts and drawing storyboards for Makepe Tales, which he later pitched at Botswana Television and was given the thumps up for coming up with Setswana cartoons.

He however said he was told that although his project was brilliant, they could not commission it due to lack of finance.

Lemogang said he then looked for sponsorship as he needed resources such as a computer for animation software’s as well as studio recording equipment among others.

He said the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development came to his rescue with a sponsorship of P100 000 to kick start his dream.

“With the funding I managed to select some artists for voice-over recordings but naivety in business led me to blunder by paying those I worked with before the project was finalised, and after post-production there was need to re-shoot as some characters were not well recorded.

When I proposed a re-shoot they requested another payment,” he said.

The former Limkokwing University of Creative Technology lecturer said things began to get more challenging when he lost his job and was forced to relocate to Serowe where he spent nine months  using his bedroom as an office to write scripts, draw story boards and brainstorm his idea.

Lemogang said his prayers came to pass in 2013 when he won the Botswana Qualification Authorities arts competitions after directing the Oodi College drama group in the play, Lee lele Bodileng.

He said he used the winnings to buy a computer and a digital camera to re-start his project.

The former Mareledi drama actor, who played Jones the guitar player, said the Makepe character portrayed a naughty young boy who always got into trouble with his father for trying to do things his own way.

He revealed that his story has 10 characters with Makepe the main character. He said Makepe Tales comic has a rich blend of different genres of Botswana music used as sound tracks and background music.

Lemogang said his project was protected by the Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA) and further stated that Makepe Tales comic DVD’s season one to three were already doing well in the market. ENDS