Contemporary dance in Botswana wears a single name when it comes to magnificence and scale. Mophato Dance Theatre has returned to the public with a production that โ while atouch more minimal than the extravaganza that was โPulaโ โ reverberates with charm and splendour. Showcasing in Gaborone from 19 โ 21 September, โTeemane โ Our Diamond Storyโ is a visual, aural and sonic feast.
Choreographed by the dynamic duo that is Andrew LetsoKola and Kalima Mipata, the production gives an abridged history of the countryโs journey from overcoming colonial condescension to the celebration of the rock that has fuelled the countryโs economy for over five decades. With PalesaMotshodi as musical director, Star Hezek on costuming, and Katlego Nldovu as the band lead, the production delivers in more ways than one. Masi Huleโs sound engineering meets Motshodiโs orchestrations โ executed by a talented 6-piece choir featuring Hydro Molefe โ to flood the auditorium with waves of storied song. Intermingled with the dancing, this births theatrical magic.
The cast of 25 individuals continues Kolaโs tradition of looking to find avenues for performers from Botswana to access the world. โTeemaneโ is an evergreen story, based in history and well worth learning. Juby Peacock lends her poetic voice to the production, showing that much as PalesaMolefe shined in โPulaโ, being a beauty queen isnโt just about looks but talent as well.
In keeping with Mophatoโs nature, traditional dance forms are interwoven with contemporary moves. This juxtaposition continues to build a vocabulary that is uniquely from Botswana. Much as the singers proclaim: โselo se mo mmung, se mogare ga majweโ, the production is a trip of discovering that which lies beneath the surface.
Mmantlwaneng Theatre serves as the first home for a production that is set to be the benchmark for how many tell the diamond story of Botswana. Mophato Dance Theatre continues to lead the pack, showing how โ even when compressed โ dedication and creativity can yield sparkling results.
