24 Sep 2019

Mophato Dance Theatre on September 21 presented their Broadway production Pula on home soil for the very first time at the Sir Seretse Khama Barracks auditorium.

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi and some cabinet ministers graced the event to watch the production which showcases how rain (Pula) is a source of life for Batswana.

The story revolves around a female rainmaker Mmapula played by Lone Motsomi, who has to use her powers to bring rain. With the use of traditional song and dance, the show tells a story of a way of life of Batswana with some highlights like a traditional rite of passage of bojale and bogwera and the traditional Setswana wedding after bogwera and bojale.

The production took the audience to a somber mood performance of drought. It showed how a severe drought hit a village and the chief had to gather the villagers and consult with the ancestors for rain. Mmapula as the daughter of the traditional healer is identified by the ancestors to lead the village in prayer for rain.

Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development Tshekedi Khama hailed Mophato Dance Theatre as a dedicated and determined group of young Batswana who took the production for the first time to Broadway as ‘a first cast of its kind from an independent democratic country.’

An ensemble of seven collaborative dance troupes, Pula brings in the choreography, music and talent of traditional singing and dance. Minister Khama said the benefits from such a production were far-reaching.

He noted that the traditional attire made by those in rural areas, costumes manufacture and designs, lights, stage and sound production all contributed in keeping the skills alive and contributed to the economy of the country.

The production director Andrew Kola said staging of the play was befitting as Botswana was about to celebrate independence. He also noted  Pula was pride and represented hope for Batswana as it brought new life. Kola said Pula is a cycle of life for every Motswana, adding that Batswana pray for pula during hard times of drought. Ends