Khumo Studios Honours More Than A Woman

Women are creative contributors to the world we know. To cast a reminder of this, Khumo Studios hosted its inaugural “Mosadi Khumo Cocktail Reception and Concert” that placed women in the film and entertainment industry at the forefront. The celebration, hosted at the Stanbic Bank Piazza, featured a variety of talented and adept presenters who made easy going of the weighty event programme. [ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type="show" ihc_mb_who="1,2,3,4" ihc_mb_template="3" ] Serving as an extension of the creative studio’s commitment to countering the loss of skilled people within the country in search of greener pastures elsewhere, Mosadi Khumo was birthed from a desire to build solidarity and show support for women in the local industry. “One of the important parts of this initiative is also to bridge the gap between the entertainment industry and the corporate sector, as well as bridging the private and public sectors with the entertainment sector so that they’re not in three different areas, but they’re starting to talk to one another,” says Denim Richards. As one of the three cofounders of Khumo Studios alongside Kay Chapi and Ona Ranyere, Richards is, himself, invested in the business of entertainment from multiple angles – including being an educator and working performer. Now approaching its third year of operations, there have been concerted efforts made and strides achieved to introduce the model and vision behind Khumo Studios. “A lot of Batswana have been taken advantage of by people coming from the outside, even corporations and the government itself,” offers Richards, affirming that “we chose to say to people: ‘don’t trust us right away, know us by our works.’” This has proven to be a winning formula. One of the flagship initiatives under the studio has been their Masterclass series which has grown exponentially – now boasting having to field over 1000 registered attendees, having started with a humble 36 in its first year. It is this drive and believing in betting on oneself first that is reflected in the staging of an illustrious celebration involving practitioners who are often side-lined or underestimated because of their gender identity. In her remarks to this publication, Caroline Desai, Chief Executive Officer of New Capitol Cinemas, drove home the point that for her “this is about valuing and monetising creative intellectual property – whether it’s a song, book, picture, a music video, or a film”, observing that “that involves a very complicated, professional system that has been established elsewhere in the world and we haven’t gotten there yet”. The experienced executive who has worked in the creative industry as well as the legal services industry made it clear that events such as Mosadi Khumo offer platforms to start realising that creative intellectual property can be leveraged to finance projects of all scales when operationalised informedly; reminding that “you need to know your audiences – and I’m not talking about creating passion project art – I’m talking about you knowing what they buy and what sells; I’m talking about commercial content that is something bankable”. Speaking to the present system of scarce local financing for creative products, Desai echoed Richards’ sentiments that the inclusion of the creative industry as a career path through education is one avenue to make this change real. “There are accountants who specialise in creative IP, there are banking systems that specialise in creative IP; we need to change this mindset that the creative industry is a side hustle and have people understand that it’s a business and a valid career right now,” she said. Showcasing their talents on the evening’s line-up were established artists as well as those bubbling under. Bonolo M. Moletsane and Sadi Dikgaka facilitated the packed programme alongside Diamond Search winners, Gimhani, Queen Esther and Tshepo. A contemporary dance number by C.A.L.M dance crew (comprising Chantel the Dancer, Laika G6, Lebo M & Stellar Atsile) set the action on course, and was followed throughout the night by the sultry voice of Refilwe Boleseng, a Broadway-worthy rendition of ‘You Ain’t Never Had A Friend Like Me’ from Aladdin by Mae, powerhouse performances by Nicole Martinez and Amantle Brown, and the impressive, 12-piece ensemble, The Fleek Band, to name but a few. The audience was not only treated to these performances but also got to bear witness as star of screen and stage, writer, cultural curator and educator, Gaolape Basuhi, was honoured as the inaugural recipient of the Mosadi Khumo Lifetime Achievement Award. Affectionately called “Ous G” by those who have worked with her over her many decades in Botswana’s embattled creative industry, Basuhi is a worthy recipient and a shining example of the power of resilience. “At times when you do something you’re are not aware that you are doing a great job until someone tells you,” she said in her acceptance speech, lauding the value of this particular accolade in its origins and intention. “There are so many women in this country that are doing a great job, but when opportunities arise, they’re are given to men,” the industry veteran noted, flanked by generations of her protégés as proof. “I think Mosadi Khumo will help us women to uplift each other … this should be a good lesson to all those institutions which are capable of helping women grow and are not doing it.” Khumo Studios follows in the footsteps of other initiatives, yet with a stride of their own. On taking on diversifying the economic and creative opportunities available to people of all ages across the country, they continue to prove that their works will be their judgement. Through Mosadi Khumo not only was history made but minds were opened to imagine a Botswana that is unapologetic about seeing the creative industry as an equal player in development. [/ihc-hide-content]

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Khumo Studios Honours More Than A Woman

The event was as much about projecting the creative industry as an equal player in development as it was about the essential role of the distaff section of society in the course of development and in its own right

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Khumo Studios Honours More Than A Woman

The event was as much about projecting the creative industry as an equal player in development as it was about the essential role of the distaff section of society in the course of development and in its own right

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