22 Aug 2024

Skills shortage is one of the gaps that threatens the growth of the local film industry, says Botswana’s renowned film director, Thabiso Maretlwaneng. 

Giving insights on the Botswana film scene at the recent Creators Content Pitso, hosted by the National Arts Council of Botswana (NACB), Maretlwaneng said Botswana film industry had less specialised skills, which often led to those involved in the industry looking beyond the borders to fill the gap. 

“We need to have multiple skills and roles for a full production and desist from doing double roles,” Maretlwaneng said. 

However, Maretlwaneng expressed belief that Botswana was on the right track through commitment and dedication. He urged filmmakers to do their best to put together a good production that told Botswana story. 

“We need to tell our stories and produce our narratives. 

That is the only way we can carry this industry forward by telling Botswana stories,” he said, cautioning that if Batswana do not tell their stories, someone from outside will do it for them. 

Inspired by Botswana narratives such as Thokolosi, Hot Chilli, Morwalela, Re Bina Mmogo, Mareledi, Ntwakgolo, Pelokgale, Beauty, Botshelo Jo and Colors, Maretlwaneng’s Sgela recently launched and aired on Dstv’s Moja Love channel.

Sgela is a 26 episode drama and self-financed. “With this production I self-financed, I worked with hungry and passionate actors with no specialised skills,”  he said, adding that sometime the actors needed to be trained on set. Shot in 2021, Maretlwaneng said he always wanted an international market for Sgela and the patience paid off three years later when he licensed the production to DStv. 

In this industry, Maretlwaneng said patience is virtue, and that one needs to start at the bottom. 

“And with the right connection of agencies, film distribution companies who have experience and travelled the world of film markets and film festivals, you will get it right,” he said. 

Maretlwaneng also advised filmmakers and actors to use their native language, Setswana, as it was often one thing that sold the production, with subtitles. 

A Setswana production is also good for actors as it allows their creativity to flourish. 

“It is amazing to see an actor shine on set using their native language or street lingo, and the film having subtitles for that. Producers should improvise on the script and give actors that freedom,” Maretlwaneng said. 

Maretlwaneng implored filmmakers to have one film association and have one voice to work as a collective. 

He said this would further enhance and grow the industry, as quality productions would be produced by a group of talented creative who worked as a team. Ends