14 Feb 2024

Pula The Musical, a production play by Mophato Dance Theatre group has brought home the outstanding 1^st Independent Theatre Makers award for Best Costume Design.

The riveting Pula The Musical play received a standing ovation from Mzansi theatre audience during its debut in South Africa, November last year, a feat that earned the play positive reviews from both the media and the crowd.

Their maiden appearance in South African stage did not only thrill the South African market, but also got them nominated for four categories of Best Lead in a Musical, Best Music Composer, Best Costume Design and Best Musical for the 1^st independent Theatre awards that were held on  Saturday.

In an interview Hope Moumakwa of Mophato Dance Theatre group said the award was befitting because the costumes spoke to the performance, with the attire periodically changing to complement the scenes.

He said the story, starting on a celebratory mode, presented women wearing traditional leather costumes while men were wearing pathisi dance costumes.

Moumakwa said as it unfolded women were seen wearing mateisi, German print dresses, usually worn during weddings while the girls were wearing makgabe (loin beads).  

Afterwards women were dressed to the nines in Sebirwa cultural attire in preparation of bojale and bogwera, girls and boys initiation schools. 

Then the actors emerged in tattered clothes to depict a drought spell.

The costumes encompassed various regalia found in Botswana such as mekobolo, matlhoa, Sesarwa and hosanna dance attires, amongst others.

Being recognised for these awards across the borders was a great honour not only for Pula The Musical cast, but for the local creative sector as well, more so that it culminated into an award.

“It is not just us, but all theatre plays in South Africa, big and small and for us to get a nomination as foreigners is a big thing more so that we were bringing in a new culture to what they know, in terms of how they do their theatre musical,” said Moumakwa. 

Although the musical scooped one award, Moumakwa said they were thrilled, particularly that they were runner ups on other categories.

“We still believe that we are the best and cream of Botswana theatre, and setting trends for opportunities for theatre performances of other productions in Botswana,” he said.

Moumakwa said Pula The Musical was a journey, with a standard that needed to be played in the highest levels of theatre musical of the world.

“It needs to get in a space where it is fully commercial and monetised where we will see all the 60 members of the cast, crew of dancers and administrators and supporting cast as employees. 

We are talking almost 78 people who can get employed from this musical alone,” he said.

He said as a production, they were trying to ensure that the play created value and started to pay the cast.

“I believe that the arts sector is the greatest and fastest growing employer if we could structure it well in our country. 

And the sector opens opportunities both locally, regionally and internationally.”

Furthermore, Moumakwa said they were looking forward to many opportunities, not only in South Africa, but other countries.

He said if another opportunity came for them to showcase in South Africa again, they would grab it with both hands.

“Looking at the recognition and the excitement of the crowd at the awards ceremony, there is a possibility that someone can call us. We realise that our production sat well in the theatre space of South Africa,” Moumakwa said.

He also said they were working hard to see it playing again in Botswana.

However, ‘we are very careful because to stage this show properly we need atleast P400 000 to half a million, and it is worse in Botswana because we have to enhance theatre equipment and hire some from other people. Therefore it gets even more expensive to do that’. Ends