24 Sep 2024

Mophato Dance Theatre used their performance skills to tell the story of the diamonds, Teemane: Our Diamond Story, at Westwood International School’s Mantlwaneng recently.

Through this play, Mophato Dance Theatre displayed the spiritual connection Botswana has with her minerals and in this case diamonds, through the use of traditional music, dance, and narration. 

And unlike their previous productions where they used variety of Setswana traditional songs and dances, this time they use more contemporary dance in the production to narrate their story. 

The production explores the symbolic and precise significance of diamonds to Batswana, which have always been a source of life and prosperity. 

Produced by Kabelo Rapinyana and written and directed by Andrew Kola, Teemane: Our Diamond Story brings to focus the resilience, culture and beauty of Botswana’s landscape and people. 

Whilst it shows how resilient Batswana were in discovering the diamonds, which later turned to become a source of pride and success for the country that once was impoverished before independence, the story also beautifully puts on spotlight the calmness and beauty of Batswana as a nation through that process. 

And with Pesalema Motshodi as a musical director, the 30 cast musical play gives the audience emotionally charged visual scenes captivated by fusion of cultural expressions and modern storytelling as the play takes on board the audience through the journey of Botswana from post-independence to date as the country shines as a global diamond hub with continued discoveries of big stones. 

Teemane: Our Diamond Story is a production by Kreative Koncept Kola, which is a Botswana-based creative production company that specialises in crafting culturally significant and artistic works, celebrating the rich heritage of Botswana. The company has under their wing, one of the most loved and celebrated Pula: The Musical, which has showcased both at home and in South Africa as well as internationally gaining accolades in the theatrical industry. 

And this latest production aimed at inspiring, educating and igniting conversations about the sustainable future of the diamond industry and impact on the people of Botswana, has the backing of the De Beers Group, Amble Promotions and other key partners. Ends