Fresh from the 2024 historic success of the first-ever Botswana-made films to premiere on Mzansi Magic, MultiChoice Botswana is excited to announce a new slate of three original movies at the end of 2025.
This comes on the heels of the resounding positive reception for Mokwalo, Khumo ya Dinaledi, and Buying the Cow in 2024, which proved an appetite for high-quality, homegrown storytelling. The upcoming films are the works of some of Botswana’s most seasoned filmmakers: Johnson Otlaadisa, Afentse Fenny Lekolwane, and Tumelo Chaba.
Johnson Otlaadisa is fresh from his role as the Supervising Producer for the 2024 film trio, a prolific producer, writer, and director. His credentials are a veritable history of modern Botswana television, having been a founding creator of the iconic radio drama Makgabaneng and the brains behind the hit series Lights Off! and Bandleng Season 1.0. His deep institutional knowledge, both as the former Chairperson of the Botswana Screen Society and a former BNYC board member, positions him as a key architect in building Botswana’s film ecosystem.
Afentse Fenny Lekolwane made history in 2004 as the first Motswana to produce a television drama with her debut series Flat 101 on Africa Magic. She is a two-time award-winning storyteller. With over 20 years of experience, her passion for storytelling has resulted in 21 titles produced for Flave Productions/Botswood. After honing her skills at AFDA film school, she graduated with the Best Film Gold Award for her Herero film Nazara. Her extensive body of work, including the highly appreciated Beauty Comedy, and her recognition as a Mail & Guardian “Top 50 Change Maker”, cement her status as a pillar of Botswana’s film industry.
Tumelo Chaba is an acclaimed filmmaker and the founder of Freeze Frame Pictures. He is renowned for blending local authenticity with global cinematic appeal. The success of his 2024 film, Khumo ya Dinaledi, which exceeded viewership expectations, is a testament to his skill. Chaba’s unique journey from computer science and coding to international filmmaking sets him apart. Having worked on high-profile campaigns for global brands like Rolls-Royce, Apple TV, and Chow Tai Fook, he brings a wealth of technical expertise and international standard production value to his local projects. He is widely seen as a leading voice positioning Botswana as a rising hub on the international film stage.
The premiere of the first three films marked a significant milestone for the local creative industry, opening a new door for Botswana producers to showcase their work on a prestigious pan-African platform. The new projects for 2025 signal MultiChoice’s long-term commitment to nurturing this talent and providing a sustainable platform for Batswana stories.
