My journey in the film industry began in Kanye. A friend’s short clip inspired me. This unique start led me to partner with him, and from there, my love for filming blossomed.
Before going to MultiChoice Talent Factory, I completed a four-year degree with a Bachelor of Arts in Motion Picture Medium at AFDA. The project I am most proud of from my student days was ’16 Wheels Of Pink’ a Documentary about a Female Truck driver in Botswana. Completing this project was a significant achievement for us, and it opened our eyes to the incredible stories in our backyard.
MTF biggest takeaway
My time at the Multichoice Talent Factory was a transformative experience. The high energy for film, art and the passionate people I met, including those now famous in Botswana, were invaluable. The exposure to high-level productions and the opportunity to interact with students from other countries broadened my perspective and formed lasting, vibrant connections.
My most memorable part of MTF was directing a short film called “The Good Bad Gang” a comedy delivered in Zambian vernacular. It was bumpy, but I led the team to complete the project despite countless re-shoots and re-editing.
My gold from MTF was growing in the Lighting Department. It is an award-winning takeaway for me. I enrolled as a writer/director but fell in love with lighting because of our mentors, Mr Rodd Stewart from South Africa and Mr Tamu-Ra Bakr from the USA. These gentlemen shaped me into the actual creative I’ve become. They delivered the lighting teaching with passion and love. Since then, I am known as the lighting guy, gaining the name “Director-Gaffer”. It was the best decision of my life. The top project I’m most proud of is a feature film called “The 11th Commandment“, a final project that premiered on Mzansi Magic and was nominated for the 2023 AMVCA Awards in Nigeria.
After MTF, I interned at New Look Studios as a production assistant for three local films that premiered on Mzansi Magic in 2024: Mokwalo, Buying the Cow and Khumo ya Dinaledi. I helped lay the foundation for the schedules for all three films, but this was cut short when I got accepted for the first cohort at Botswana Ignite for TV Unscripted Content Production.
Post MTF Career
My MTF experience and AFDA degree gave me an edge in the Ignite programme. I ventured into the Ignite program with theknowledge and skills of how the industry and business of film and TV work. I was also on the lighting crew for the Family Feud Botswana shoot in South Africa – based on the foundation laid at MTF 2023. After Botswana Ignite, I immediately got a job as a Spark in the Lighting Department for the LIAR TV Series Production, again, a homage I paid to my introduction to Lighting at MTF.
I’m working on a business idea to revolutionise the film industry in Botswana, specialising in the Lighting Department. I plan to apply skills from MTF and recently in LIAR Production to contribute to the Botswana Film and TV industry. I’m also developing several TV reality content concepts and have started talking with some facilitators. So, 2025 should be a busy and exciting year for me, and I can’t wait to see what it holds.
Long Term Goals
God has called me to operate higher in this art and the Botswana Film and TV industry. My long-term goal is to be one of Botswana’s best film lighting practitioners, if not the first—not only for status but also to help train others. The lighting department doesn’t have representation in Botswana, so I would love to be one of its recognised forerunners.
The African story is the most interesting trend for me. We are telling the African story the right way—now that’s the most interesting trend for me! The world is looking to us now. We’re seeing more and more African productions occupy the leading content platforms such as SHOWMAX. We’re seeing Botswana stories shining in productions such as Sgela and the recently DStv-commissioned productions Mokwalo, Khumo ya Dinalediand Buying the Cow from Botswana. I’m excited and can’t wait to join those sharing our narratives with the world.
Advice for aspiring filmmakers
My advice to my generation and younger is to identify one’s Purpose, have Passion/Love for the art, and be led by a deep desire to see your art doing something in the community or the world. But remember, success comes from discipline and hard work. You may have the potential and skills, but you will need discipline and hard work to make the most of them.
Another important thing is to be present on the job. Whatever you choose to do in this industry, be present. When you’re called on the job, selfies and presenting yourself for the show won’t get you far. Do the job, love the job, and ‘walk the walk’. No one can stop you from doing what you want. You can always have your podcast, your series of short films or whatever. That’s the beauty of this digital age. Platforms are everywhere: Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, etc. Use the platforms to tell your story to get your content and brand out there.
Opportunities for studying and growing in this Art have never become more manageable. We see online courses, books, and callouts for international scholarships daily, including competitions for your art. Recently, I won Best Short Film at the All-African Film Festival, and I got there because I saw promos for the competition on Facebook.
Please write a short story script, shoot a short film, register it for an international film festival, and get your story and brand out there.
Reflections and Future Aspirations
I’m forever grateful to God for the opportunity I got at MTF; I don’t know where I would be without it. I am today because of my time there. I encourage Batswana to apply when this opportunity comes.
My recent job got me a lot of eyes in South Africa, and I’m proud to say that I even got a great mentor willing to take me to greater heights. I’m so excited for that adventure! There is so much to learn out there, and I want to bring it here at home so we can also gain the world’s eye and interest.
