28 Aug 2022

Creative collaborations often yield amazing results as evidenced by the recent Business Excellence Seminar organised by De Beers Group in London, England, where some local creatives worked as a team with the London Rambert Ballet Dance School of Dance.

Mophato Dance Theatre and Lesedi Matlapeng of KefSeddy Fashions were among the local creatives who collaborated with Rambert Ballet Dance School to showcase diamond jewellery.

“I was fortunate enough to get an opportunity for the residency programme.

Focus will be on learning their styles of dance, as well as opportunities for me to teach them our style of dance and work with other dance dance groups in London,” said Mophato Dance Theatre director Andrew Kola regarding his residency programme, which is yet to kick-off.

Kola added that Mophato Dance Theatre would also have an opportunity to engage in a collaboration project with Rambert Ballet Dance School, where they would create a production and stage a show in London, Botswana and Italy.

He also indicated that the seminar opened opportunities and created network contacts for Botswana dancers, who would be able to benefit from workshops and residency training with the London-based dance schools and/or companies.

Kola cherished being on the stage with Rambert Ballet Dance School, saying the collaboration of dancers and models choreographed to produce a sterling show presented something new for the Botswana group.

“It was worth doing because we learnt a lot from each other,” he said.

For her part, Matlapeng expressed gratitude for the opportunity and recognition of her creativity in the fashion industry.  

She said the De Beers Group Business Excellence Seminar diamond showcase was a step into the film industry.

She said it made her realise that she could use her designs in the film space to put her career on an international pedestal.

Although it was not her first dance theatre fashion showcase, Matlapeng said the De Beers project gave her more experience in such projects.

“I was dressing dancers and the models, so I had to work on designs while in Botswana and we only did fittings with the London crew once we arrived,” Matlapeng explained, saying the London showcase brought positive feedback for her work, making her feel ready to take on the world.  ENDS