This production reimagines a historic battle - the clash that paved the way for Botswana’s independence: the Battle of Dimawe. Told through the eyes of the chief of Bakwena, Kgosi Sechele, his wife, and his son, the story follows their capture by the Boers and Sechele’s fierce stand in the Mmasechele Cave, where one of his wives soldiered on through her pregnancy as she reloaded his rifle while he fought the Boers.
This production uncovers an origin story of resilience, unity, and the birth of a nation; the narrative reveals Kgosi Sechele’s triumphs despite being outnumbered and outgunned. The telling of this story is timely as Botswana approaches its 60th anniversary in 2026.
Production Credits
Kutlwano Reetsang,
Boikhutso Phenyo Molefhi
Psalms Bogwasi
Lone Motsomi
Alfred Samane
About the Artists
Lone Motsomi is a multidisciplinary artist, filmmaker, and creative arts manager whose work bridges performance, storytelling, acting and cultural innovation. She has a Master's degree graduate in Fine Arts and Dance Production from the Nanjing University of Arts in China. Her body of work spans major international collaborations and productions, including The Woman King (Sony Pictures), Shaka ilembe [Bomb Productions), King Shaka (Paramount), and Blood & Water (Nteflix), G20 (Prime Video).
Boikhutso Phenyo Molefhi is an award-nominated interdisciplinary artist, with a BA in Live Performance for theatre and film. Phenyo is the Creative Director of Dramatic Scholars, an organisation with the sole mandate of preserving African cultural heritage through different art mediums. His recent production "Dikgang tsa Bagolo: Ngwana Mme" is currently on its international tour.
Alfred Baruti Samane is a writer and creative director from Botswana. 'I make theatre that listens to the past and speaks to the present. With Dramatic Scholars, I’ve written and directed work for stages in Makhanda, Nairobi, Gaborone, and Johannesburg. I lead from the belief that a rehearsal room is a country in miniature: if we can build trust there, we can build it anywhere.'
Kutlwano Reetsang is an AFDA graduate with an Honours degree in Live Performance. She is a writer, director actress, script supervisor , and administrative officer of Dramatic Scholars, a creative company dedicated to storytelling rooted in Botswana’s history, heritage, and culture. Her professional experience includes script supervising on the local film Moporofeta: The Prophet and Abashwe, shown on Mzanzi Magic.
Pesalema Bogwasi is the Digital Creative Director at Dramatic Scholars & Backyard Stories, specialising in Gen-Z social media strategy. He holds an honours degree in Creative Multimedia and a certification in Social Media Marketing from HubSpot.
Thoriso Bogwasi is a Forbes 30 Under 30 (Africa) honoree and the co-founder of Backyard Stories collaborating in bringing forth Dikgang Tsa Bagolo: Ngwana Mme. Thoriso is a graduate from the University of Botswana, specialising in storytelling and filmmaking. He leads the 4th Estate Media Club, mentors youth in hockey, and creates platforms for emerging musicians with Backyard Stories in Gaborone. Thoriso is dedicated to using ideas to change lives and communities.
Trevor Matshabane is a disciplined photographer and creative strategist who captures the world through the lens. His work reflects a deep appreciation for the minimalist approach, and a purist at heart favoring the silhouettes of monochrome photography.
- Venue: Rehearsal Room
- Location: Monument Building
- Ticket price: ZAR 60.00
- Programme type: The Fringe
- Genre: Theatre
- Duration: 60 minutes
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Ages:
14+
